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Copyright N°_ __ 


COPYRIGHT deposit. 















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SCOT 








SCOT 

BY 

CORA ESTELLE MYERS 




II 


PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

1923 







Copyrighted, 1923 

CORA ESTELLE MYERS 


Press of 

J. J. Little & Ives Company 
New York, U. S. A. 


NOV 1.7 *23 

©C1A7G6136 




To the Memory of 

SCOT 


THE DOG HERO 
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 
















CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 


I 

Springtime .... 

• 

1 

II 

The First Day —The First 
Home. 

8 

III 

Puppy Days .... 


12 

IV 

Daniel Seager Sapp . 


19 

V 

The New Home 


31 

VI 

Lake Front .... 


39 

VII 

The Training 


45 

VIII 

Christmas. 


49 

IX 

Back Home .... 


59 

X 

Winter . . . . * . 


68 

XI 

Sunshine Follows Storm 


80 

XII 

Back on Duty . . ' . 


97 

XIII 

The Storm .... 


108 

XIV 

Buster Bender 


120 

XV 

Bench Show .... 


133 

XVI 

Maturity. 


142 

XVII 

His Last Days . . . . 

• 

153 


• • 
Yll 










SCOT 


Chapter I 

SPRINGTIME 

A LL outdoors was bright and 
beautiful in the suburbs of the 
great western city of Chicago. 
The “North Shore,” all decked in 
bright array, was especially alluring. 

Spring had come, and Nature was 
doing her best to provide sweet bird 
music and wonderful floral decorations 
along the shore of Lake Michigan. 
The mating season was at hand, and 

l 


2 


SCOT 


1 


it seemed as though the throats of the 
little feathered songsters would burst 
trying to win the favor of their lady¬ 
loves. 

Strolling along the beautiful ave¬ 
nues, breathing the soft air permeated 
with the scent of spring blossoms, one 
could but feel that this was as near 
Paradise as can be found on this earth; 
that God in his goodness has provided 
the riches of Nature for the enjoyment 
of all his creatures alike, be they high 
or low, rich or poor, great or small. 

Nestled far back in a cluster of 
grand old oaks, bordering the lake 
stood a fine home where sadness pre¬ 
vailed. 

Up until a few months past, the 
owner, Clifford Hulbert and his beauti¬ 
ful wife had many interests within their 
family circle to make them enjoy life 
to the fullest. 




SPRINGTIME 


3 

3 


The past six months had been filled 
with sorrow; the silent reaper had come 
and taken within that time all that they 
held dear. 

First to go was “Bright,” the magni¬ 
ficent roan driver; then his mate, 
“Cherry.” “Happy,” the little pug 
that had been the companion of an in¬ 
valid aunt, was next to go, followed 
closely by the sufferer, herself. 

In the house, silence reigned; in the 
stables, no gladsome neigh or pawing 
welcome; in the drive no proudly pran¬ 
cing forms with erectly held heads. 

This was a good home for the animal 
kingdom—a place where they were be¬ 
loved and understood. 

Jim MacCowan, groom and care¬ 
taker, sat under a great oak, whittling, 
disconsolate, steeped in gloom. 

The empty stables gave him the 
blues, but his cup of woe overflowed 




4 


SCOT 


when he heard that his kind employer 
and his good wife were planning a trip 
that involved a two years’ absence 
abroad. 

What would he do during the long 
winter days? If he only had his 
“hosses” to talk to, or little “Happy,” 
the pug, with his glad bark and funny 
tricks. 

Sure, there was Bridget Mulligan, 
the cook; what did she do but fuss? 
His only real interest in her was at 
mealtime, and then he had no basis 
of complaint, for Bridget was past-mis¬ 
tress of the art culinary, and ruled her 
small domain like an empress. 

A strutting robin captured a succu¬ 
lent earthworm, brought to the surface 
by an early morning shower, as Mr. 
Hulbert strode across the lawn. 

Jim was in low state of mind. 

“Cheer up, Jim.” 




SPRINGTIME 


5 


The Scotchman mournfully shook 
his head. 

“Wi’ none to talk to and you an’ the 
missus gone, I’m thinkin’ this’ll be no 
pleasant to be all alone; if I had a bit 
of a dog, now, it’s a friend I’d have, 
sir.” 

Mr. Hulbert was thoughtful for a 
moment. “All right, Jim, don’t worry; 
we’ll see what can be done to gratify 
your wish. I’m feeling pretty blue 
myself, and it will never do for us both 
to go wrong. Call a carriage.” 

Mr. Hulbert returned to the house 
and called to his wife: “Get ready, 
dear, for a drive; we are going to see 
if Nat has any collies to sell. Jim is 
lonesome, and thinks he wants a pal 
while we are away, and I don’t think 
he can find one more faithful and true 
than a dog.” 

Jim was anxious and a bit nervous 




6 


SCOT 


in anticipation; he was at heart only a 
boy. 

‘Til train him myself, just to suit 
me; he’ll be my dog.” 

He even condescended to assist 
Bridget, a circumstance that almost 
stupefied that worthy with surprise. 

“It’s actin’ foolish, ye are, Jim; 
have yer troubles gone to yer brain?” 

“Never you mind, Bridget, you’ll 
soon be findin’ out why I am so fool¬ 
ishly happy.” 

All day Jim was “on needles and 
pins” until the arrival of the carriage. 

Out stepped Mr. and Mrs. Hulbert, 
and close behind them, two splendid 
young collies, Duke and Dainty. 

Taking Duke by the leash, Jim led 
him to the stable, Mr. Hulbert follow¬ 
ing with Dainty, Duke a picture, his 
coloring, sable and white; Dainty, all 
that her name implied, golden and 




SPRINGTIME 


7 


white, with black patches here and 
there over her splendid body. 

Patting the dogs, Mr. Hulbert 
turned to Jim: 

“There they are; take them, they are 
yours. Turn the old stable into a 
kennel; do as you wish, sell, barter, or 
exchange, only be content while we are 
away.” 

A few days later they left, and Jim 
was alone with his pets. 




Chapter II 

THE FIRST DAY-THE FIRST HOME 

F OR weeks, Jim’s time was fully 
occupied in the necessary reno¬ 
vation and alterations to prepare 
quarters for his new pets. 

His collies were the admiration of 
the neighborhood. The long summer 
days were occupied in training, swim¬ 
ming and long rambles in the woods 
and along the beach; the evenings in 
quiet and contented companionship. 

Dainty was the more lovable and af¬ 
fectionate; Duke, very dignified and 
reserved; as Jim called it—“Putting 
on airs.” He would whisper into 

8 


THE FIRST DAY—FIRST HOME 9 


Dainty’s listening ear, “Duke’s a 
stuck-up dog.” 

Summer waned, Autumn came and 
passed, and now Winter, with its 
rigors, was upon them. 

Jim’s quarters and the kennel were 
fitted with everything necessary for 
their comfort and all were snug and 
cosy despite the efforts of Jack Frost 
and the raging of The Storm King. 

A great love came to Jim and his 
dogs, and even Bridget condescended 
to a kindly interest, but they didn’t 
care for her rasping voice, and treated 
her with a sort of civil tolerance. 

One cold February morning, while 
making his rounds, Jim approached a 
large box stall, the private apartment 
of Dainty. 

What he saw caused him to exclaim, 
“Aha, Dainty, so the Stork has been 
here.” 




10 


SCOT 


He picked them up, one at a time, 
five of the cutest, fuzzy, squirming 
little puppies ever born into this world. 

Four were a mixture of gold and 
white, sable and white, the fifth, a 
male, slightly smaller than his broth¬ 
ers and sisters, but apparently brighter 
and more active, was black. 

Duke and Dainty were very proud 
of their family, while Jim carried his 
chin high, had a new set to his shoul¬ 
ders, and seemed to have grown per¬ 
ceptibly taller. 

He loved all of them, but the little 
black fellow won his heart with his 
deep brown eyes, showing white when 
they rolled in mischief. 

And now, Jim was confronted with 
another serious problem; after much 
mental effort, stimulated by frequent 
scratching of his pate, four of the dogs 




THE FIRST DAY—FIRST HOME 11 


were named Don and Leo, Jeanie and 
Lassie. 

Naming the little black fellow, some¬ 
how, seemed the most difficult of all. 

Taking him in his arms, he pressed 
his cheek against the soft dark coat. 

“What shall I name you? I can’t 
think of a sweeter name than that of 
my dear native land, Scotland.” 

Then and there, the small black col¬ 
lie was name “Scot.” 






Chapter III 


PUPPY DAYS 


A GENTLE spring day with its 
soft air and welcome sunshine 
found Jim MacCowan in his 
favorite seat under the great oak. 

He held a letter bearing a foreign 
postmark; after reading it for the third 
time he fell to musing, and as was a 
habit he spoke his thoughts aloud. 

“It’s most a year, now, since they 
went away.” 

“Sure, now, is yer mind wanderin’ 
agin?” came the none too gentle accent 
of Bridget through the open door. 

Jim did not hear; his mind was, in¬ 
deed, wandering afar. He was look- 


PUPPY DAYS 


13 

=3 


ing forward to the return of the wan¬ 
derers and was exulting that another 
year would add much to the beauty of 
his collies. 

He felt that he must part with some 
of his dogs; but which? 

His thoughts were busy with the 
problem. 

He believed that if he could keep 
Duke and Dainty, with Scot, their 
son, he could reconcile himself to the 
going of the others, especially as he 
had several friends, any one of which, 
he knew, would greatly appreciate such 
a gift as one of his precious dogs. 

Thowing open the kennel door, he 
called. 

Rolling, tumbling, out came the 
boisterous crew, each on mischief bent. 

Leo bounded up to the next-door 
neighbor’s half-grown kitten, thereby 
learning a lesson that is a necessary 




14 


SCOT 


part of every little dog’s education; 
namely, that cats should be approached 
with caution, if at all, and that 
scratched noses require several days 
to heal and again become comfortable. 

The general “rough-tumble” lasted 
all day, and was a fair sample of many 
another day to follow. 

Even sedate and dignified Duke al¬ 
lowed the “children” to maul him, a 
concession of which they were quick 
to take full advantage. 

They were fond of making a play¬ 
thing of Dainty’s beautiful plumy 
tail, she, meanwhile, a perfect picture 
of maternal pride and joy. 

Bridget opined that Scot was the 
darlin’ of them all, and she and Jim 
found, to their mutual surprise, that 
there was one subject on which they 
were in full accord; namely, anything 
appertaining to the dogs. 




PUPPY DAYS 


15 


Bridget even allowed the puppies to 
worry and tear at her carpet slippers 
when out taking her daily constitu¬ 
tional round the grounds. 

Jim thought the bites and scratches 
from needle-like teeth on Bridget’s 
ankles no worse than some of his own 
from the same source. 

One evening, after making the dogs 
comfortable for the night, Jim quietly 
lifted Scot from his bed and with him 
in his arms went to his own room. 

From then on, Scot was his nightly 
companion, and occupied a nice soft 
bed on the floor near that of his master. 

Jim was wont to sleep on his side, 
one arm hanging over, within easy 
reach of the puppy, which held a great 
fascination for him; many were the 
times that Jim awakened at the soft 
caress of a small moist tongue, or a 
gentle, playful bite. 




16 


SCOT 


Jim was very proud of his young 
dogs, as they grew, and began to de¬ 
velop their several individualities. 

He especially admired Leo, and 
often created a wrong impression by 
his praises of the wonderful creature. 
Leo was not first in his affections; 
that place had been taken over by 
Scot, and he held it as long as they 
both lived. 

A pair of robins had built their home 
in an old oak near the kennel; many 
busy days for Daddy Robin while 
the eggs were hatching, then busier 
days for both birds trying to provide 
enough to satisfy appetites that were 
never appeased, followed by the busiest 
and most important day of all, the 
first flying lesson. 

The kennel door opened, and a 
small canine avalanche burst upon the 





PUPPY DAYS 


17 


lawn, sadly disturbing the important 
business there being conducted. 

A more indignant pair of feathered 
furies never were seen. How they 
swooped and dived, pecked, and beat 
these intruders with rapid wing. 

This was a new game to the young 
dogs, and, as it seemed to them, one 
in which the other fellow seemed to 
be having all the fun. 

Jim had given his charges their first 
lesson in retrieving on the day before 
and was now in his usual place of ob¬ 
servation. 

The Robin School of Aviation 
meanwhile continued its course of in¬ 
struction under more or less difficulty, 
until one little student came to grief; 
he essayed a feat too great for his un¬ 
tried powers and came fluttering to 
the ground. 

The old birds were on guard in- 




18 


SCOT 


r.". . .. . 

stantly and redoubled their outcry, 
and renewed their attack on the dogs, 
all of which now lay quietly watching 
the young bird. 

At last, Scot slowly arose and cau¬ 
tiously approached. 

Jim was on his feet at once, but his 
fears were groundless. Scot’s interest 
was wholly friendly, and he stayed near 
while Jim picked up the bird; then 
licking both it and the hand which held 
it, he put the seal of his approval on 
the entire transaction. 

From this time on, so far as the 
. dogs were concerned, all birds were 
safe from molestation on the lawn. 




Chapter IV 


DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 

A S Daniel Sapp is to play an 
important part in this narra¬ 
tive, it is fitting that he be prop¬ 
erly introduced. 

He first saw the light of day near 
Gosport, in South England, his father, 
a well-to-do manufacturer in Ports¬ 
mouth. 

He had a sister and two older 
brothers. 

In the year 1856, at the age of ten, 
he entered a preparatory school, where 
he remained until placed in a private 
school for boys. 

After completing his course, he took, 

19 


20 


SCOT 


because of his love of nature, a course 
in landscape gardening. 

Daniel had the true Britisher’s love 
of the sea, and the Portsmouth water 
front had a great fascination for him, 
and he spent much time round the won¬ 
derful harbor, the extensive docks, the 
long steam bridge, often refreshing 
himself at the Royal Sailor’s Rest. 

The sight of the great ships filled 
his soul with a wanderlust, and he 
longed for the day when he could cast 
all else aside and sail away, even 
though his home life was happy and 
family relations harmonious. 

Daniel early displayed a deeply 
sympathetic nature which manifested 
itself in an intense love for all helpless 
creatures, a contempt and active hos¬ 
tility toward cruelty in any form, and, 
to complete the picture, was wholly 
unselfish. 




DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 


21 


*-- - - 

His father’s ample means and liber¬ 
ality permitted the indulgence of the 
tastes of his family, and the fact that 
the fine stables and kennels were well 
stocked, filled his heart with joy. 

Thus Daniel grew to manhood, 
spending his time much as the aver¬ 
age well born English lad, with his 
dogs and horses, in the country with 
relatives and friends at vacation time. 

In appearance he was of medium 
height, slender build, black hair, spar¬ 
kling brown eyes. He had the alert ex¬ 
pression which is characteristic of a 
certain British type, and a most pleas¬ 
ing personality, quiet and gentle. 

Daniel’s first great sorrow came to 
him with the death of his mother, who 
had not only been a mother to her chil¬ 
dren, but a dear companion and friend. 

Some months later, his father 
passed away. 




22 


SCOT 


In the settlement of estate matters 
that followed, Daniel received his in¬ 
heritance in the form of cash, and a 
snug fortune it was, for those days. 

Many a young man, free to follow 
his own devices, and finding himself 
with ample means, yields to the temp¬ 
tation to self-indulgence, and much 
too often leads a life harmful to him¬ 
self, and perhaps to others as well, and 
of no real good to anybody. 

But we have said that Daniel was 
wholly unselfish. 

Landport, a district of the City of 
Portsmouth, was in the slums; rent¬ 
ing some rooms in the heart of this 
locality, Daniel, with a few heirlooms 
and keepsakes, moved in. 

His home soon became known as a 
place of refuge for all who lacked shel¬ 
ter, raiment or sustenance; no man was 




DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 23 
l . 1 . r ; 

too low or degraded, no poor animal 
too wretched to share his substance. 

The objects of his interest included 
the street scavenger, the shoeblack, the 
newsboy, the friendless, lost or sick of 
the animal kingdom; in short, any for¬ 
lorn piece of driftwood found with 
Daniel a safe haven, sympathetic in¬ 
terest, and whatever assistance was 
needed. 

For several years, he worked thus 
in Landport, always for others; some¬ 
times, when a vacant spot of ground 
was available, he planted, with the as¬ 
sistance of his charges, vegetables to 
be used later by the poor of the dis¬ 
trict. He also encouraged the cultiva¬ 
tion of flowers in the bare unkept yards 
of the neighborhood. 

While Daniel was going to and fro 
doing good, another good soul was 




24 


SCOT 


likewise occupied, working among the 
girls of Landport. 

She was a beautiful woman, a widow 
without family ties. 

Being engaged in similar work, and 
in the same district, it was inevitable 
that the two should meet, and having 
tastes and inclinations in common, be¬ 
come fast friends, a relation which 
later ripened into love. 

She promised to become the wife 
of Daniel, and now, that this great 
happiness had come into her life, she 
found her health sadly impaired by her 
years of unselfish labors. 

A fortnight before the day set 
for the wedding, she was unable to 
leave her home; a fever had come upon 
her; these were days of anguish for 
Daniel and suffering for her. 

The day she was to have become a 
bride, death claimed her. 




DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 


25 


Again Daniel was adrift. Heart¬ 
broken and utterly crushed, he turned 
his rooms over to the boys, paid up the 
rent for many months in advance, and 
left. 

And now he would see the world. 

After a short visit to his old home, 
the goodbys were said, and Daniel 
took up the life of a sailor. 

During his life at sea, he met the 
Scotchman, Jim MacCowan, and the 
two became fast friends, drifting from 
port to port. 

’Tis said that the sea is a great place 
to forget; Dan, as he was now called 
by his shipmates, and as he will be 
hereafter designated in these pages, 
did not find it so. 

He mourned and could not find con¬ 
solation for his loss; he felt that 
“Dame Fortune” had smiled on him 




26 


SCOT 


1 


and then given him a kick; that she had 
treated him unfairly. 

The cup of happiness, brimming 
full, was at his lips, then dashed to 
the ground, and this, it seemed to him, 
was his reward for years of service, 
hardship and self-sacrifice. 

One day, at sea, while both Dan and 
Jim were off watch, Jim said to his 
friend, “Dan, I’m going to quit the 
sea; going to America; come along.” 

Jim used all his powers of persua¬ 
sion and argument during a discus¬ 
sion which ended only with the recall to 
their sailormen’s tasks, but failed to 
win his friend to the new plan. 

At the next port, the friends parted, 
Jim later taking passage to the United 
States, finally joining relatives liv¬ 
ing in Chicago, the big city by the 
big lake. 

For a time Dan continued to follow 




DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 27 

-- .t j ' — 1 ■ ""i 

the sea, with varying fortune, until 
an accident which changed the course 
of all which followed. 

On a vessel Australia-bound, he be¬ 
came involved in a sailor’s brawl and 
was severely injured. 

On regaining consciousness some 
days later, he found himself with a bad 
wound on his forehead, just at the 
hair line. 

During the weeks of convalescence 
which followed, Dan’s thoughts were 
much with his friend in the far distant 
“States,” with whom he had main¬ 
tained a desultory correspondence. 

His loneliness and longing to see 
old Jim finally became too strong to 
be resisted, and advising Jim by let¬ 
ter, he set out on the long journey. 

A cool, damp morning in Spring 
found Dan in New York City. With 
almost the last of his sadly diminished 




28 


SCOT 


3 


funds he purchased his ticket for Chi¬ 
cago, where he arrived in due season. 

He was met at the train by a jubi¬ 
lant Jim, who, by the way, had found 
employment and was doing well. 

After a visit and a rest, Dan found 
a situation as gardener on a neighbor¬ 
ing estate* 

Dan, however, was restless and un¬ 
happy, longed to be free to go and 
come as fancy willed; to be on, or 
near the water. 

His time was now wholly spent 
along the lake shore, fishing, or in 
long rambles among the piers and 
boathouses. 

One day he came upon a boathouse 
at the foot of 33rd Street, built and 
owned by a young Mr. Thomas, and 
used by him and his friends as a shel¬ 
ter for their boats. 

At the south end of this building, 




DANIEL SEAGER SAPP 


29 


1 . .— --- - 

Dan built his shack, using mostly 
driftwood, which was plentiful if 
somewhat diversified in quality and 
dimension. 

We now find a man of forty, quiet 
of manner, keeping his past, with its 
shattered hopes to himself. 

People living in this locality will 
tell you to this day that “Dan Sapp 
always wore a cap drawn closely in 
front, almost concealing his eyes.” 
There was a reason: an unsightly scar. 

He settled on the lake front about 
the year 1886, and there he remained, 
occasionally exchanging visits with 
his friend Jim. 

During this time, a certain great¬ 
hearted woman who lived in Groveland 
Avenue, had done much to smooth the 
rough pathway for this lonely soul, 
showing him many kindnesses. To 
her he told all that is now known of 




SCOT 


30 

e= 

his past. She still lives, but wishes 
her name withheld; and as we cannot 
call her by another, we shall designate 
her as “Friend.” 




Chapter V 

THE NEW HOME 

T HE winter of 1893-4 will never 
be forgotten by many living in 
Chicago at that time. Great 
depression followed the World’s Fair; 
long bread lines were frequent in con¬ 
gested districts, the soup kitchen was 
often seen, and privation and sickness 
were common. 

Small-pox made its appearance, later 
becoming epidemic. Dan had never 
been vaccinated, and now took that 
precaution, becoming very ill from its 
effects. 

While in this condition, he con- 

31 


32 


SCOT 


traded La Grippe, which was also 
epidemic at the time, and his condition 
became serious. 

The weather was bitter; the “Little 
Friend” living in Groveland Avenue 
made her way each morning to the 
stone wall overlooking the shack, for 
a sight of the curling smoke from a 
small section of stove pipe, doing duty 
as a chimney. 

One morning in January all was 
quiet; nothing to indicate that the little 
combination cooker and heater she had 
given Dan was giving out warmth to 
sustain the flickering spark of life in 
Dan’s disease-racked body. 

She rushed into an apartment house 
hard by, finding the janitor, who soon 
was speeding across the maze of rail¬ 
road tracks to the little shelter, where 
he found Dan delirious. 

Kind hands bore him to a hospital, 




THE NEW HOME 


33 


and the little shack by the lake knew 
him no more until springtime, when 
he returned fully restored to health. 

Jim MacCowan had done much for 
Dan’s comfort during his long illness, 
and now extended an invitation to 
come over and spend the Fourth of 
July. 

Dan had enjoyed an unusually pros¬ 
perous spring season; his sales of fish 
during the Lenten Period having 
netted him substantial returns, and 
with this and his restoration to health 
and on the eve of a visit to his old 
friend on the North Shore, we find 
him in a happier frame of mind than 
he had been for years. 

He opened an old chest that was 
doing duty both as work bench and 
dining table, taking therefrom a suit, 
from a pocket of which dropped the 
picture of a fair face. 




34 


SCOT 


■ .. .. 1 -i 

With the old garments in his lap, 
Dan fell to musing; old memories 
came trooping back. 

“This was to have been my wedding 
suit,” was his thought; “I’ll wear it 
in honor of her.” 

Carefully brushing these habiliments 
of a bygone day, he made a most care¬ 
ful toilet, topped it off with a jaunty 
hat, indulged in a hasty but satisfied 
glance at the cracked mirror, and was 
on his way. 

Sunset found him wending his way 
along the drive at the beautiful Hul- 
bert home, passing on to the rear to 
the small house which sheltered his old 
friend, Jim, who appeared at once in 
answer to his hail, giving him a most 
hearty welcome. 

Bridget had been advised of the ex¬ 
pected guest, and now emerged from 
her domain, adding her loud-voiced 




THE NEW HOME 


35 


welcome and broad brogue to the com¬ 
bination chatter of English and Scotch. 

Here were England, Scotland and 
Ireland making enthusiastic plans for 
the celebration of the Day of American 
Independence. 

Bridget had already done her part, 
and had surpassed herself in the prep¬ 
aration of a meal to which they shortly 
gave for a time their undivided atten¬ 
tion, and over which they talked, 
smoked, and reminisced until far into 
the night. 

Jim could scarcely wait until morn¬ 
ing to spring a surprise that he had 
prepared, and Bridget who knew what 
was up, managed to keep the secret, 
not, however, without inward struggle, 
and contrary to a popular impression 
regarding the attitude of her sex in 
such matters. 

While Dan was dressing next morn- 





36 


SCOT 


r.- - . 1 , :. . . —: : —.3 

ing, Jim slipped out and opened the 
kennel. 

What Dan saw would have delighted 
any true dog lover, and he was com¬ 
pletely overcome when Jim told him 
that he was to have his choice. 

Now, Jim did as he had often done 
before, called particular attention to 
the good qualities and fine points of 
this and that one, mentioning each 
one in turn, but never a reference to 
Scot. 

This deceived Dan as it had others; 
the conclusion was inevitable that the 
cute little black fellow was the least 
prized of the lot. He was, therefore, 
only acting true to his unselfish nature, 
when gathering Scot tenderly into his 
arms, he said, “This is my dog.” 

Jim gasped in dismay, and was 
silent. Masking his grief, he busied 
himself with preparations, and late in 




THE NEW HOME 


37 


the afternoon accompanied Dan and 
Scot home. 

While the shack was very small, it 
was always tidy and clean; the 
“Friend” had given Dan a single bed 
with a mattress and springs; he had 
two fine steamer rugs for cold nights, a 
stove, two chairs, a chest and a small 
trunk. 

A curtain across the back wall cov¬ 
ered what clothing hung there; a small 
cupboard, a clock, a kit of tools and 
mirror completed the list of his modest 
furnishings. 

Between the foot of his bed and the 
wall was space enough for a roomy 
bed for Scot, and as water sometimes 
seeped through the floor a platform 
was built, and on this rested the pad 
on which Scot was to sleep. 

Could these two honest souls have 
drawn aside the curtain and gazed at 




38 


SCOT 


the future six years from that very 
date, they would have deserted the 
Lake Front forever; as it was, Jim 
sadly wended him homeward way, with 
a heavy heart and the inward convic¬ 
tion that it was his own stupid blunder 
that had cost him his dearly loved 
pet. 




Chapter VI 

LAKE FRONT 

T HE part of the Lake Front 
where Scot was now to have his 
home has a very irregular shore 
line from 39th Street south to 12th 
Street north. 

From 29th Street to 39th Street is 
a structure built of piling connected 
by girders and securely ballasted with 
rock, the whole forming an effectual 
breakwater, and a protection to adja¬ 
cent railroad property. Between 
waterline and breakwater are shoals 
and occasion deeper spots much used 
in summer by bathers, of whom young 

39 


40 


SCOT 


people, especially children, constitute 
a majority. 

From waterline to street elevation, • 
a distance nearly equal to a city block, 
the space is entirely occupied by rail¬ 
way tracks used by many of the vari¬ 
ous lines converging at the so^th from 
many directions, resulting in a traf¬ 
fic so heavy at this point, at times as 
to be almost continuous. 

Just beyond these tracks, to the 
west, is a rather pronounced bluff, 
which, between 31st Street and 35th 
Street, is protected by a stone wall, as 
33rd Street terminates here in what 
is known as a “dead end.” 

Dan’s shack was at the waterline 
exactly opposite this dead end, and 
the only means of access from the 
street level was over and down the wall 
by a sort of scaling ladder consisting 
of spikes driven into the wall, thence 




LAKE FRONT 


41 


scurrying across the maze of tracks 
with a wary eye on the busy traffic. 

Upon the ridge, and paralleling the 
stone wall is Lake Park Avenue; to 
the south of 33rd Street and facing 
Cottage Grove Avenue are two beau¬ 
tiful spots: Groveland Park and 
Woodland Park. 

Overlooking all, a silent witness of 
what later transpired, is the tall, ma¬ 
jestic statue of Stephen A. Douglas. 

At the time of our story, many of 
the families living in this neighborhood 
were of the wealthy and aristocratic 
class. 

Dan Sapp had two pals to share his 
joys and sorrows, and sometimes his 
money—when he had any. 

One was nicknamed “Mush” Jer¬ 
sey, so called for his ability in finding 
productive mushroom beds; he lived 




42 


SCOT 


in a lakeside shanty a short distance 
south of Dan’s abode. 

The other friend was “Buck” Bu¬ 
chanan, in intelligence, rather above 
the men of his class; he lived in a small 
cottage on Ellis Avenue not far away. 

This trio became fast friends, and 
together they fought life’s battles; 
one’s trouble was the trouble of all, 
and when a dollar strayed that way, it 
made no difference in which pocket it 
finally rested, all were equally bene¬ 
fited. And so they lived true and 
loyal to the last. 

Dan was so impatient to show his 
newly acquired possession to the 
“Friend” that he could not wait un¬ 
til morning; with the help of Mush 
Jersey, he succeeded in getting Scot 
up over the wall, thence proceeding to 
her home, where the puppy was duly 
presented and received a most royal 




LAKE FRONT 


43 


welcome, and a cordial invitation to 
spend his first week with her. 

Of course, Scot was a very lonesome 
little puppy, and was homesick for 
his familiar surroundings, as well as 
his accustomed playmates, but the 
“Friend” was attentive and consider¬ 
ate, comforting him with a nice Scotch 
supper of oatmeal with plenty of rich 
milk. 

When bed-time came, she placed a 
pillow near her own bed for him to 
sleep on; a puppy soon forgets his 
troubles when his stomach has been 
satisfied, and he was soon fast asleep. 

The “Friend” remained awake with 
her thoughts; she was by nature, 
strongly sympathetic toward the help¬ 
less and weak, and especially so toward 
those that are dumb. 

This little creature, temporarily in 
her care, had already made for him- 




44 


SCOT 


self so secure a place in her heart that 
she very naturally fell to planning 
for his future; and as she planned she 
gradually become conscious of an in¬ 
creasing uneasiness of mind; a premon¬ 
ition so strong that, arising and stand¬ 
ing over the peacefully sleeping Scot, 
she registered a solemn vow to do at 
all times all in her power for his wel¬ 
fare and to smooth the rough path 
of his new master. 




Chapter VII 

THE TRAINING 

A T the end of the week, Scot was 
taken back to his new home. 
The “Friend” exacted a prom¬ 
ise from Dan that whenever he left 
the Lake Front for the day Scot 
should be brought to her, an assur¬ 
ance which was gladly given. 

Every morning found the long pier 
dotted with fishermen with their nets, 
they coming from all parts of the 
South Side. 

Scot soon became a great favorite 
with these rough men. How he did 
enjoy getting tangled in their nets, 

45 


46 


SCOT 


and the chase which invariably fol¬ 
lowed, as he tumbled and sprawled in 
his clumsy, roly-poly, puppy way. 

At meal time Scot occupied a stool 
beside the table which his master had 
made for him. 

He early evinced a strong fondness 
for a fish diet, one thing of which there 
never was a lack; he got too much of 
this, however, becoming very ill, and 
requiring careful nursing before he be¬ 
came himself again. 

It was decided to change his diet; 
the “Friend” bought a supply of 
puppy biscuits. These, soaked in broth 
from the soup bone, with an occasional 
egg, or a little milk, with fish in lim¬ 
ited quantity and at intervals instead 
of every meal, seemed to make up a 
menu on which he thrived. 

The adding of the fish to the rest 
of the diet was Scot’s own idea, and 




THE TRAINING 


47 


was suggested in his own way, in per¬ 
fect dog language at meal time. 

Dan would be seated at the table 
eating fish; Scot in his place on a 
stool with his puppy biscuits. His 
eyes would roll and yearn while his 
red tongue licked his chops; one little 
paw, the one nearest his master, would 
steal over the edge of the table and 
timidly slide toward the coveted 
dainty. This was too much for Dan, 
and with a caution born of the memory 
of Scot’s late illness, he added a small 
portion of fish, mixing it with the rest. 

Scot’s fishermen friends soon learned 
of his weakness for fish, and often 
gave him a fish, for the pleasure af¬ 
forded by the proud way in which he 
trotted off home to make sure this ad¬ 
dition to his larder; so, even at this 
early age, he was earning a part, at 
least, of his living. 




48 


SCOT 


So he played away his first sum¬ 
mer, learning the many little tricks 
which all smart dogs are supposed to 
know, spending many hours with the 
“Friend,” who had taken such a deep 
interest in his welfare. 




Chapter VIII 


CHRISTMAS 

S COT was now nearly ten months 
old, and in his first winter coat 
was a beautiful picture. Jim 
MacCowan had been over to see his 
friends and had extended an invita¬ 
tion to spend with him the holidays. 
The day before Christmas they started 
to walk to the North Shore. 

Winter had set in with vigor and 
determination; the shack was cold, and 
Dan was glad of the change. 

With lunch in his pocket, his be¬ 
loved pipe between his teeth, and a 
congenial companion, looking forward 

49 


50 


SCOT 


to a good visit with his friend of sea¬ 
faring days, Dan found himself in an 
unusually cheerful frame of mind. 

They walked, rested, and walked 
again; Scot, however, seeming tireless, 
ranging back and forth in all direc¬ 
tions, easily covering six miles to Dan’s 
one. 

As the sun was going down they 
arrived at the old home, where Jim 
and Bridget, wearing their best smiles, 
awaited them. 

• 

Before Jim could greet his former 
pet, Bridget lumbered down the back 
steps and threw herself upon Scot, who 
immediately released himself, and read 
her a little lesson in deportment by sit¬ 
ting up and very gravely offering to 
shake hands. Dan winked away a 
huge tear and led the way into the 
kitchen, whence issued certain sugges¬ 
tive odors that for some moments had 




CHRISTMAS 


51 


caused a sort of yearning sensation in 
the region covered by Dan’s belt. 

When the meal was served, Scot was 
given a place at the table. When Dan 
produced the dog biscuits he had 
brought Bridget exploded. 

“Ya goin’ to feed that junk to the 
poor pup wit’ a hull table groanin 1 
wit’ things as is good to eat?” 

It was carefully explained to Bridget 
how very ill Scot had been from over¬ 
feeding, and she disappeared into 
her pantry, shaking her head, only 
half convinced, and but partly mol¬ 
lified. 

After a little thought, Jim pre¬ 
scribed for Scot. 

“Give him a teaspoonful of raw, 
chopped beef with a pinch of salt 
every day; mix it with his biscuits; it’ll 
make him as slick as a seal.” 

At this juncture, Bridget reap- 




52 


SCOT 


peared with some uncooked ham¬ 
burger that had been left from that 
day’s breakfast. 

All this time, Scot sat quietly at 
his place at the table; one paw resting 
on the edge, his big brown eyes rest¬ 
ing on Dan. 

Bridget ground the biscuit to pieces, 
added the raw meat and a spoonful of 
brown gravy, and set the dish before 
the waiting dog. 

“I’ll show ’em if he can’t have some¬ 
thin’ dacint fer to eat.” 

In the meantime, the two men had 
been doing full justice to what was 
before them. 

As Bridget watched Scot devour 
with a relish the wholesome food she 
had prepared for him, a lump arose 
in her throat and her thoughts ran 
on. 

“They do say that wimmin talk too 




CHRISTMAS 


53 


much; but I niver wul hoy talked so 
much as thot mut-head of a Jim; jist 
talked Dan into takin’ his own dog 
away from him.” 

After the meal the large drawing 
room was thrown open, revealing a 
Christmas tree, covered with bright 
tinsel and appropriate gifts. 

Friends with their children began to 
arrive and the big room was soon buzz¬ 
ing with the conversation. 

When everything was in readiness, 
the collies were admitted; Duke, Flos¬ 
sie, Leo and Jeanie,—all that were left 
of the original company. 

As they came bounding in, Scot 
arose, and standing stiff-legged, gave 
a short, sharp bark of greeting and 
slowly advanced to greet his family. 

What they knew or thought as to 
their relationship is, of course, un¬ 
known, but they were $oon enjoying 




54 


SCOT 


themselves in each other’s company, 
and the children joined in the hurly- 
burly romp which followed. 

Santa Claus now appeared and it 
was found that all had been gener¬ 
ously remembered. 

Dan recalled other days at home 
when as a small boy he had danced 
with his sister and brothers around 
another Christmas tree prepared by 
the loving hands of his mother. 

This tree, however, bore a fine warm 
bed for Scot made by the devoted 
Bridget, warm underwear, socks and 
a pair of arctics for Dan. 

Besides Scot’s bed, there were suit¬ 
able presents for the other dogs, and the 
children were soon scurrying round 
with their arms running over with all 
sorts of interesting things. 

Jim’s love for Scot had not grown 
cold during his absence, and this eve- 




CHRISTMAS 


55 


ning he studied the dog closely. He 
felt somewhat guilty, in that by his 
too much talk he had condemned him 
to a hard life. 

“Some one certainly is giving him 
good care; he’s as fine as any of my 
dogs that are getting the best of every¬ 
thing. Well, perhaps it is all for the 
best; Dan is happy again.” 

Of course he did not see the shadow 
(in the background) of a brown-eyed 
woman; had he done so, he would have 
understood, but at this time he did not 
know of Scot’s good fairy. 

After the holidays had passed, Jim 
and Bridget prevailed upon Dan to 
stay on, the rest of the winter. The 
memory of the cold, sickness and 
misery of the preceding winter made 
the decision easy for Dan. 

In the meantime, his friends on the 




56 


SCOT 


South Side became worried at his long 
absence. 

One morning a letter came to the 
“Friend/’ addressed in Dan’s beautiful 
script, informing her of his plans. 

Of course she knew the meaning of 
the sharp little pain in her heart, but 
she was unselfish enough to forget her¬ 
self in her satisfaction that her pro¬ 
teges were so fortunately provided 
for during the rigors of winter. 

Dan was given a comfortable room 
in the house, and Scot went with him. 

The evenings usually found Jim, 
Dan and Bridget in some comfortable 
nook, with the dogs lying about. The 
time was passed singing, telling stories 
and reminiscences of the dear native 
land. 

When weather permitted, there were 
long walks along the shore of the lake, 
the dogs rollicking in the snow; home 




CHRISTMAS 


57 


again, a brisk rubdown, supper and 
sleep, and so the time passed. 

One morning there arrived a letter 
from Mr. Hulbert advising Jim of his 
decision to sell the place, at the same 
time assuring him that he and Bridget 
would be provided for. 

Jim’s first feeling was one of dis¬ 
may, and he had never realized as he 
now did how deeply attached to the 
old place he had become. 

Calling his friends into conference, 
they discussed plans for the future un¬ 
til far into the night. 

This sudden crisis in their affairs 
had the effect of bringing things to a 
head and revealing some hitherto hid¬ 
den mysteries. 

Jim gravely confessed to a very 
decided preference for the society of 
a little lassie from Scotland whom he 
had met the previous summer; he 




58 


SCOT 


hoped for a favorable answer to a cer¬ 
tain question he was to propound. 

In case the answer was as he hoped, 
he had other plans that involved the 
purchase of a small tract, and the 
raising of chickens and fine collies. 

Bridget, brindling and blustering, 
but unable to conceal a vivid blush, an¬ 
nounced that, “That good fer nothin’ 
Pat Hennessey has been pesterin’ me 
for an answer, and this is as good a 
time as any fer to give it to him.” 




Chapter IX 


BACK HOME 

D AN and Scot now wended their 
way southward, and soon were 
in the old familiar surround¬ 
ings. 

Leaving Scot with the “Friend” he 
repaired to the cold, damp, cheerless 
shack. Driftwood was at all times 
plentiful and he soon had the place 
habitable. 

The change had done a world of 
good for Dan. Spring opened early 
and he resumed his fishing, and his old 
pals came over to hear how he and 
Scot had fared during the winter. 

59 


60 


SCOT 


We now find Scot, in his second 
year, a well-rounded, strong, vigorous 
dog. He became less and less in¬ 
clined to leave the Lake Front for 
long at a time; it had become to him 
a personal domain, the guardianship 
of which he accepted as his special 
duty. 

He was fast making friends, and 
becoming well known. 

Dan now took up Scot’s education 
in real earnest, erecting a spring¬ 
board, from which he taught the dog 
a number of aquatic acts, that soon 
developed him into a remarkable 
swimmer and diver; he could go tear¬ 
ing through the water like a tug-boat, 
and under or on the surface made little 
difference to him. 

During the heat of the summer, hun¬ 
dreds of children came to the shoals 
for their swim; Scot was in and out 




BACK HOME 


61 


of the water among them, and, ever 
ready for a romp, he became the cen¬ 
tral interest; the first thing they looked 
for, on arrival at the beach, was the 
black collie, their pal. 

During this period, the police de¬ 
partment always stationed officers at 
the dangerous crossings to protect the 
children from the numerous passing 
trains. 

Dan was busy fishing and sometimes 
took Scot along on his trips. 

An early breakfast, and Dan would 
say, “Scot, we’re going fishing.” With 
a rush, Scot was gone to his special seat 
in the boat—where he would sit and 
bark in sheer joy—at everything and 
nothing until they were far into the 
lake. 

On the days on which they fished 
together, Dan was never in a hurry 
to get home, but fished all day, working 





62 


SCOT 


slowly toward home in the cool of 
the evening. Then a fish supper, a 
smoke, and bed. 

When Scot was told by Dan that 
he was to stay at home, away he would 
go, running to the end of the spring¬ 
board, watching his master, and bark¬ 
ing his goodbye as long as he was in 
hearing; then a remarkable somersault 
dive, and to a nice place in the sun 
till dry, after which he was wont to 
start on the round of his morning 
calls. 

Scot’s sentry box was a place high 
up on some piling. His habit was, on 
days when Dan was out on the lake, 
to scramble to this high point and 
there watch until the returning boat 
was discernible; then out, and rushing 
madly up and down the beach, filling 
the air with a vocal clamor. When 
Dan stepped out of his boat Scot 




BACK HOME 


63 


fairly smothered him with the exuber¬ 
ance of his welcome. 

Dan always tried to have something 
for Scot to carry from the boat to the 
shack; otherwise the dog showed his 
disappointment by his dejected man¬ 
ner and lagging gait. If given some¬ 
thing to carry, his head was erect and 
his whole bearing fairly radiated pride 
in helping master home with the things. 
Herein is revealed a distinguishing 
characteristic of this truly remarkable 
dog: an overwhelming desire to be of 
service. 

At certain times, when conditions 
were just right, Dan, with his chums, 
“Mush Jersey” and “Buck” Buchanan 
went on all-day rambles for wild mush¬ 
rooms; this took them into the country 
and always proved a great treat for 
Scot. 

The grass and clover were just made 




64 


SCOT 


for dogs to roll on, and if rabbits, 
squirrels and chipmunks were not in¬ 
tended to be chased by dogs, why, 
indeed, were they made so tantaliz- 
ingly enticing? Why, their very scent 
was enough to make any lively dog 
want to run faster than dog ever ran 
before. Scot’s pursuit was pure sport, 
however, and only once in his life was 
he known to attempt to harm any 
living creature; but of this, more later. 

One cool Sunday afternoon in 
Autumn, when the Lake Front was al¬ 
most deserted, Dan Sapp was seated 
outside his shack in the sun, reading; 
Scot was lying near. 

Glancing up from his book, Dan 
saw a woman and a small boy ap¬ 
proaching, picking their way along the 
railway tracks. 

At one point, the water reached the 
roadbed, and a plank reaching from 




BACK HOME 


65 


the edge to the nearest of the piling 
formed a crude bridge across some 
rather deep water. 

Before the mother could prevent, 
the boy darted ahead, and started 
across the plank. 

A scream from the mother startled 
the running boy, who became con¬ 
fused, then frightened, and, in his 
panic, slipped and fell, disappearing 
in the water. 

“Go, Scot,” shouted Dan, scram¬ 
bling to his feet, but the dog had seen 
and was already gone. 

Headlong into the water he went, 
and as the boy rose to the surface 
seized him by a sleeve and dragged 
him into shoal water by the time Dan 
was able to cover the intervening space 
at a dead run, and complete the rescue. 

The woman, yielding to the excite¬ 
ment and losing her temper, soundly 




66 


SCOT 


boxed the boy’s ears and shook him so 
violently that water flew in all direc¬ 
tions; without thanks of any kind, or 
any other acknowledgement of obliga¬ 
tion, she took a hasty departure, drag¬ 
ging her noisily weeping offspring with 
her. 

Dan, however, was too highly de¬ 
lighted with his dog to care for her 
rudeness. 

He now knew that the good seed 
he had so painstakingly sown, had 
taken root, and this, in conjunction 
with the natural inclination of Scot 
to be of service, was developing him 
into a most useful animal. 

Dan possessed an almost uncanny 
insight into animal nature, and knew 
exactly how to show Scot that he had 
pleased his master; he pressed his 
point, and altogether made such good 
use of his opportunity that Scot was 




BACK HOME 


67 


soon almost bursting with pride and 

joy- 

Dan showed Scot every attention, 
including a good rub-down, a fire to 
dry himself by, and a very special Sun¬ 
day evening supper. 

From this time on, as long as Scot 
lived, he was the officer on the beat 
when there were children there. 




Chapter X 

i 

WINTER 

D AN dreaded the approach of 
of another long, dreary winter, 
and in preparation, gathered 
all kinds of driftwood, or any other 
material suitable for fuel; all fishing 
gear and other property not in use 
had been stored in the “Friend’s” barn, 
and with the assistance of “Mush” and 
“Buck” the available space thus ac¬ 
quired was packed full of anything 
that could be burned in Dan’s little 
stove. Scot did his share by dragging 
home every piece of wood he encoun¬ 
tered that was not too heavy for him 
to manage. 


68 



WINTER 


69 


The rigors of winter found them 
sometimes hungry; sometimes cold; at 
other times, both hungry and cold. 

When weather permitted them to 
fare forth, a fire, food and a cordial 
welcome were assured at the home of 
the “Friend.” 

Other good people living in Grove- 
land Avenue and Lakeland Park took 
an interest in them and frequently 
sent timely supplies to the door of the 
lonely little shack on the Lake Front. 

There were times, however, during 
bitter storms, when nobody cared to 
venture forth except in case of dire 
necessity. 

The “Friend,” however, never for¬ 
got; no matter how bitter the cold or 
biting the wind, or how deep the drifts 
against the stone wall skirting the 
ridge that overlooked the little shelter, 




70 


SCOT 


she always managed to send some one 
to investigate. 

Late in the winter, The Storm King 
cut loose with his greatest effort; first, 
sleet, then snow, driven on the wings 
of a fierce gale, which shook the little 
shack at the water side, covered every¬ 
thing with an icy armor, and made 
walking both difficult and dangerous. 
This was followed by a sharp drop in 
temperature, which made matters much 
worse. 

All day the storm howled like a 
wolf-pack, as the mercury sank lower, 
and lower. 

At the home of the “Friend,” Dan 
and Scot were much in the minds and 
conversation and before retiring the 
decision was reached that the good 
husband should make an investigation 
early the next morning. 

At the shack, it had been a long, 




WINTER 


71 


dreary day for Dan; he had contracted 
a heavy cold, and was very miserable. 

The bleak, storm-torn surface of the 
lake, the lack of all but the plainest 
of food, the impossibility of keeping 
warm, together with the approaching 
night, filled Dan’s heart with gloom; 
even his beloved pipe failed to give 
its accustomed solace. 

Jim MacCowan had married his las¬ 
sie and was on his honeymoon, away 
across the sea, among the lakes and 
mountains of the dear homeland; 
Bridget had finally suffered herself to 
be carried off in triumph by one of her 
devoted admirers. 

Thinking of these absent friends, 
and the comfort and good-fellowship 
of the year before, Dan’s feeling of 
loneliness and isolation nearly over¬ 
whelmed him, and his greatest effort of 




72 


SCOT 


r-—.. . ■ " , , ' ”! 3 

will was necessary to avoid a complete 
breakdown. 

Scot, meanwhile, had been quick to 
note that all was not well with this 
being whom he adored with every fibre 
of his body. 

The quick eye of love, and the un¬ 
erring instincts were not to be deceived 
by Dan’s efforts at self-control, and 
the dog was very unhappy. 

He did not intrude, however, but 
sat, with his eye on his master; the 
only display of feeling he permitted 
himself were an occasional thump of 
his tail on the floor and a low plain¬ 
tive whine, both of which were lost 
in the howl of the storm. 

Dan’s eyes were suffused with tears 
as he called Scot to his knee, and took 
that noble head between his two hands. 

Gazing down into those big, loving 
brown eyes, to this best and most faith- 




WINTER 


73 


ful of all his earthly friends, he 
poured out the grief and loneliness of 
his heart, and lavished upon him all 
the endearing phrases of the lover’s 
vocabulary. 

And Scot began to talk. 

What? You have never heard a 
dog talk? 

Then you have never owned and 
loved a really smart dog that loved 
you. 

Scot’s voice was now a peculiar com¬ 
bination of purr and whine most dif¬ 
ficult to describe but laden with under¬ 
standing and sympathy; it rose and fell 
in loving cadences, and his mouth 
opened and closed as a talking dog’s 
mouth should. 

Not one word he uttered will ever 
be found in any dictionary in the 
world, but they were all perfectly in¬ 
telligible to one with the gift of un- 




74 


SCOT 


derstanding, and Dan understood and 
was comforted. 

Continuing the conversation, Dan 
said, “Scot, old boy, you are entirely 
too good and fine to be wasted in this 
miserable place. From the way Jim 
looks at you sometimes, J suspect there 
has been a mistake; surely, you were 
the pick of the lot, and I now believe 
that he fully expected me to choose 
Leo instead of you. 

“But, Scot, old fellow, I’d rather 
give up this poor life of mine than 
you.” 

Scot showed his appreciation by 
smiling up into his master’s face. 

What’s that? a dog doesn’t smile? 

Of course he does; and weeps too 
when the spirit moves him; in a per¬ 
fectly doggy way, however. 

If you are skeptically critical, and 
inclined to argue on the foregoing, it 




WINTER 


75 


simply means that you have never 
established the proper relations with 
your dog. 

If you have a dog, get really ac¬ 
quainted with him, study his personal 
traits, his reasoning processes, his likes 
and dislikes. 

Love him; give him sympathy and 
understanding. 

If you have never had the com¬ 
panionship of a dog, get one, and fol¬ 
low the same course, and you will dis¬ 
cover some wonderful facts. 

You will find the experiment well 
worth while, and it cannot fail to make 
you a better, as well as a wiser, man 
or woman. 

Dan retired, and Scot curled up on 
the foot of the bed, at his feet. 

As the night wore on, Dan’s discom¬ 
fort increased; his cough grew fre¬ 
quent and painful; the odor from the 




76 


SCOT 


flaring kerosene lamp became irri¬ 
tating to his nose and throat. 

Rousing at least from the stupor, 
he began to realize that he was very 
ill, and in desperate need of assistance; 
how to obtain it was a vexing and seri¬ 
ous problem. 

Scot seemed to be his only recourse 
and the dog, by his close attention and 
alert manner, showed his realization of 
his master’s need and evinced his de¬ 
sire to be of service. 

Dan was able to reach from the bed 
a box contining some of Scot’s play¬ 
things; among them he found a ball 
that had been used by the “Friend” 
in teaching Scot to retrieve. 

Holding the ball where Scot could 
see it, and pointing in the direction he 
was to travel, he said, “Take it to her, 
boy.” 

He tossed it toward Scot, who 




WINTER 


77 


caught it in mid-air, and dashed out as 
Dan opened the door. 

The wind extinguished the light, 
and Dan expended the last remnant of 
his fast-waning strength in closing the 
door and staggering back to his bed. 

How the dog made his way will, of 
course, never be known. 

But win through he did, in the rag¬ 
ing storm, across the maze of snow and 
tracks, avoiding the ever passing trains, 
coming at last to the door of the 
“Friend.” 

Dawn and the subsiding storm 
found on the front steps an ice-cov¬ 
ered object that was able by whines 
and scratching to attract the atten¬ 
tion of those within. 

When the master of the house 
opened the door, Scot picked up the 
ball and extended an icy paw in greet¬ 
ing. 




78 


SCOT 


Scot was taken to the furnace 
room, where he received a good brush¬ 
ing, and the ice-pads were thawed from 
his feet and between his toes; then he 
wa£ thoroughly rubbed dry and left 
rolled in a blanket near the heat from 
the furnace. 

The relief party which arrived at 
the shack in the early morn found only 
blackened embers in the little stove, 
and a man much too ill to be moved. 

As soon as possible, medical assist¬ 
ance was provided, and the rest of 
the morning was spent in rounding 
up Dan’s friends, Jersey and Buck, 
who, with the husband of the “Friend,” 
organized themselves into a nursing 
corps, each taking an eight-hour shift. 

After several days, during which 
he seemed to hover between life and 
death, the crisis was safely passed, and 
Dan was allowed to see Scot who had 




WINTER 


79 


been returned to the shack for the 
occasion. 

After the joyful greeting, Scot took 
his post at the bedside and refused to 
to leave it, day or night, until his be¬ 
loved master was again able to be up 
and around. 

Scot recuperated rapidly from his 
rough experience with the storm, but 
was footsore and lame for some days. 




Chapter XI 

SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 

S COT had now passed his second 
birthday and was well into his 
third summer; he was the pride 
of Dan Sapp’s life. 

He patrolled the Lake Front for 
ten blocks, between 29th and 39th 
Streets, giving special attention to the 
stretch from 31st to 36th Streets. 

It was at this point that thousands 
of bathers sought the water during 
the heated term. 

At a spot about midway of this 
latter stretch, is a slight elevation af¬ 
fording a favorable lookout, and a 
clear view in all directions. 

80 


SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 81 


Here Scot was always to be found 
at the height of the bathing period 
every day, with watchful eye and at¬ 
tentive ear for all that transpired. 

One sultry afternoon the cry of dis¬ 
tress floated up to the lookout, and 
the faithful guardian was instantly 
making his way, swimming like an ot¬ 
ter to where two boys were struggling 
frantically in the deep water. 

One boy, half drowned, had lost 
his head, and had seized a strangle 
hold round the neck of the other boy 
who had come to his aid and both were 
in grave danger. 

With a salvo of barks to attract the 
attention of other bathers, Scot fas¬ 
tened himself to the shoulder of the 
drowning boy and started for shore. 

The other boy, shaking free, was able 
to help, and finally all three reached 





82 


SCOT 


r . ■ . _ _ ,W, T 3 

a place where many willing hands were 
extended to help the rest of the way. 

Scot was the idol of the hour; 
women wept over him, and men petted 
and praised him. 

He, however, had only followed the 
impulse of his own noble heart, an 
earnest desire to help, and must have 
wondered what all the fuss was about. 

Scot became interested in his duty 
as guardian and life saver of the Lake 
Front that Dan could hardly coax him 
out on the lake for a day’s fishing. 

He had his regular day’s work, and 
made his own schedule, of which the 
following is a fair sample. 

Early morning found him in one of 
the small parks near his “beat,” where 
the nurses came with their small 
charges for their morning airing. Scot 
was very fond of children and de- 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 83 


Eli: - . , ——-r”— 

lighted to romp with them. Then 
came his daily visit to the “Friend.” 

As the day wore on, and the line of 
children and grown-ups began to 
stream across the dangerous tracks, 
Scot was at his post handling the traf¬ 
fic, for all the world like a city police¬ 
man at a busy corner, rushing here 
and there, now speeding a laggard, 
or holding back the too venturesome 
and careless. 

Among the regular visitors to the 
beach were many who appreciated the 
work of Scot and fell into the habit of 
bringing little packets of dainties for 
him, and he had many devoted friends, 
with the number constantly on the in¬ 
crease as his worth became known. 

Among the number was a railway 
engineer, who leaned out of his cab as 
he passed on his daily run, shouting a 
greeting which was always returned 




84 


SCOT 


with a glad bark as Scot waited for the 
tossed bone which was a feature of the 
performance. Scot seemed to know al¬ 
most to the minute when his engineer 
friend was due and was waiting. 

With the advent of cooler weather, 
and with the children in school, the 
beach became almost deserted, and 
Scot had more time for other things. 

One afternoon, Dan observed him 
approaching on the trot, tail waving 
and head high, carrying something in 
his mouth. 

This object proved to be a small, 
plump, gray tiger kitten which he 
gently deposited at Dan’s feet. 

“What? Another mouth to feed?” 
said Dan. 

Scot was intensely proud of his find, 
and barked and danced round in ex¬ 
pression of his feelings. 

In deference to Scot’s clearly ex- 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 85 


pressed wishes, Dan consented to the 
adoption, and “Patsy” soon became 
an important member of the little 
family. 

The usual antipathy of dog and cat 
seemed to be entirely absent in this 
case, and the two became great pals. 

The nights being cool, the cat dis¬ 
played wisdom and discrimination in 
his choice of a nice sleeping spot and 
curled up close against the heavy, soft 
coat of his canine friend. 

One evening, late in November, as 
Dan was preparing supper, Scot gave 
a short, glad bark and was off at full 
speed across the tracks to the stone 
wall. 

A man was descending the ladder, 
and was effusively welcomed by Scot, 
who proudly escorted him to the shack. 

Jim MacCowan was back from his 
wedding tour and had made use of the 




86 


SCOT 


first opportunity to look up his old 
friend. 

Dan had a wide reputation for his 
ability to make a wonderful cup of 
tea, and the two old cronies were soon 
enjoying a happy reunion over the 
supper table. 

Jim told the story of his trip to the 
old country, and delivered to Dan a 
small sum of money which had been 
entrusted to him for that purpose. 

Dan told the story of his severe ill¬ 
ness, and of Scot’s journey through 
the storm for help, and of the other 
fives he had saved. Tears rolled down 
Jim’s cheeks as he listened and pressed 
Scot’s head to the heart that still hun¬ 
gered for the dog he had lost, but 
never a word on this subject did he 
utter. 

Jim had purchased a small place on 
the extreme South Side. 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 87 


It had been planned as a poultry 
farm and was equipped with a small 
but good house, a barn and other 
conveniences. 

Jim spent the rest of a long, pleas¬ 
ant evening, telling of his plans, which 
included raising truck, pedigreed col¬ 
lies and chickens. 

Rising, finally, to go, and with 
Dan’s hand clasped in both his own, he 
said: 

“We will be very glad to have you 
and Scot come and spend the winter in 
the new home.” 

Dan’s haggard face brightened at 
the vision of a comfortable refuge with 
friends, away from the stormy Lake 
Front, but clouded again as he said: 

“But you know, Jim, we are now a 
family of three; what’ll I do with little 
Patsy?” 

“Oh, bring him along too; the more 




88 


SCOT 


the merrier; we can’t leave him to shift 
for himself; always room for one 
more,” said the good hearted Jim as 
he took his leave. 

Dan was radiant. 

“Scot, old boy, we are poor when we 
count our pennies, but rich when we 
count our friends.” 

The “Friend,” as usual, lent a sym¬ 
pathetic ear to the recital of the plans 
for the coming winter, and, as before, 
provided storage for the simple fur¬ 
nishings of the shack. 

The trip was made in Jim’s wagon, 
the two men in the one seat, with Scot 
between them, and was enlivened by 
the antics of Patsy, who occupied a 
gunny sack at their feet, and showed, 
in every possible way, his dissatisfac¬ 
tion with the traveling accommoda¬ 
tions that had been provided for him. 

The long winter was a comfortable 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 89 


and happy one for Dan, and in sharp 
contrast with the previous one, with its 
loneliness, privation and illness. Jim 
and his young wife had many interest¬ 
ing stories to tell of their trip to Scot¬ 
land, as they gathered round the open 
fireplace of evenings, with Scot and 
Patsy lying near. 

Kennels were built for the collies 
that were to return in the spring, Jim 
having left his family of dogs in the 
care of a friend who was a breeder of 
collies and had plenty of room. 

The English are great pedestrians, 
fond of long hikes across country. 
Dan was no exception to the rule, and 
Jim was no less that way inclined. 

The result was many a trip, over 
the snow amongst the pine-clad dunes, 
until the country for many miles had 
been thoroughly explored and become 
wholly familiar. 




90 


SCOT 


Returning late, one cold stormy eve¬ 
ning, Scot, who had been tirelessly 
ranging far and wide, was heard bark¬ 
ing at some distance from the home¬ 
ward course and out of sight. The 
hour being late, with several miles still 
to cover, and with darkness falling, 
the men pressed on without investi¬ 
gating. 

They had been at home some time 
and were becoming anxious over the 
non-arrival of Scot when he was heard 
at the door clamoring for admittance. 
Both men sprang for the door and 
Scot leaped in, carrying a small boy’s 
stocking cap. 

This was enough; a child was in 
distress. 

Hastily donning their heavy coats 
and sodden boots, so recentlv dis- 
carded, they set out, following the now 
excited dog who ran barking ahead, 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 91 

.. :s 


setting a pace that they could hardly 
follow. 

Over the drifts and through brush, 
he went by the most direct route to 
a dilapidated shed. 

Arriving in an exhausted condition, 
they descried Scot, who had arrived 
ahead of them. 

He was digging away frantically 
at a dark object half buried in snow, 
which proved to be a boy of about 
eight years of age, with his right hand 
crushed in the jaws of a heavy steel 
trap and unconscious from pain and 
exposure. 

Releasing the injured hand they 
hurried home with the still uncon¬ 
scious boy, where the remainder of the 
night was spent in minstering to the 
wants of the little sufferer. 

While thus engaged, it finally 
dawned upon them that Scot had not 




92 


SCOT 


returned with them and was still 
absent. 

Dan, being completely exhausted, 
finally allowed himself to be persuaded 
to remain, while the more rugged Jim 
taking a lantern, set out to cover the 
weary miles to the place where Scot 
was last seen. 

Arriving at last, what was his dis¬ 
may to find Scot caught fast in an¬ 
other trap similar to the one that had 
brought disaster to the small boy. 

Fortunately the trap had closed in 
such a way that the injury, while pain¬ 
ful, was not permanent, and Scot was 
able to limp that part of the way the 
now exhausted Jim was unable to 
carry him. 

If there remained an undestroyed 
trap in that location when an angry 
Scotchman started for home, it was not 
his fault. 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 93 

_ / 


Morning found the injured boy suf¬ 
ficiently recovered to tell his story. 

He had come to the old shed to set 
traps, and in digging round in the 
snow had sprung the large trap that 
had been set by someone else, thereby 
meeting the fate they had both pre¬ 
pared for some lesser, hungry animal. 

The boy was restored to his now 
frantic family, who were effusive in 
their gratitude, and profuse in their 
thanks, winding up by offering to buy 
Scot, a proposition which was emphat¬ 
ically and indignantly refused. 

The boy learned a lesson in getting 
what he had tried to give some animal 
in search of food; he knew the pain 
inflicted by that barbarous mechanism, 
the steel trap, and experienced the 
mental anguish of being left to freeze 
and die. 

He was also very unhappy when 




94 


SCOT 


he learned that his gallant rescuer was 
injured by a trap set by his own guilty 
hand shortly before meeting his own 
just punishment. 

As evidence of his change of heart, 
he gathered up all the traps that had 
escaped Jim’s destroying hand and 
dropped them down the well on the 
place, at the same time promising never 
to own another trap. 

Of all the inventions of man, none 
is more diabolically cruel than the steel 
trap. 

Before its use became general, the 
deadfall and other forms made in 
camp killed their catch quickly, and 
the poor victims were soon out of their 
misery. 

Now, they suffer on for hours, and 
sometimes days, if for any reason the 
trapper is unable to make his rounds; 
a not infrequent occurrence. 




SUNSHINE FOLLOWS STORM 95 


In very cold weather, which is prev¬ 
alent during the trapping season, the 
part of the foot caught often freezes, 
and cold, hunger and thirst are added 
to swell the sum total of misery. 

All the little people of the forest 
and plain have their natural enemies 
in other predatory species besides man, 
and are defenseless when trapped, 
often being trailed down and de¬ 
stroyed; a cruel enough fate, but mer¬ 
ciful in comparison. 

Domestic animals often fall victims 
of the same cruel system. 

Sport Bates, a large, beautiful col¬ 
lie was one such. His master was a 
guide, and their home was in the Star 
Lake region of northern Wisconsin. 

Sport was missing one morning and 
the search continued until the fifth 
day, when inquiry of a distant neigh¬ 
bor elicited the information that the 




96 


SCOT 


persistent howling and barking of a 
dog had been heard at the wood-lot 
half a mile or so away. 

Sport was found in an almost dying 
condition, and recovered only after 
many miserable weeks; the frozen foot 
fell off, and Sport traveled the rest 
of his days on three legs. 

The wearing of furs by women will, 
no doubt, continue as long as there are 
any fur-bearing animals left, and as 
long as the steel trap is used the 
cruelty that is inseparable from its 
use will also persist; with thoughtful 
women, the struggle between the bet¬ 
ter nature and the love of adornment 
will also go on. 

But why, Oh! why, will the dear 
creatures persist in the utterly sense¬ 
less, foolish and silly custom of wear¬ 
ing summer furs? 




Chapter XII 

BACK ON DUTY 

A S the time drew near when Dan 
must return home, a chill crept 
along his spine at the thought, 
notwithstanding a nameless something 
that drew him back to the little, lonely 
shack by the water side which, after 
all, was his home, and he yearned for 
it. 

Spring found our two friends in the 
old surroundings, with Scot industri¬ 
ously hunting up his old friends. 

Dan resumed his fishing, and Spring 
wore into Summer, the warm weather 
bringing as usual the bathers and 

97 


98 


SCOT 


busy times for Scot, especially in the 
afternoons. 

One morning while trotting through 
Woodland Park, he encountered two 
of his little playmates of former sea¬ 
sons, Elmer and Eleanor Todd, twins, 
whose nurse brought them nearly 
every pleasant morning, their favor¬ 
ite spot being in the shade of a large 
willow tree which stood near the cen¬ 
ter of the park. Here he had played 
with them when he was but a puppy, 
and they little more than babies. 

Then he was but a playmate, with¬ 
out responsibility, but now he natur¬ 
ally assumed the role of guardian and 
trusted friend, while still remaining 
playfellow; while with them, he as¬ 
sumed full charge and was so trust¬ 
worthy that the nurse sometimes felt 
at liberty to take an occasional short 




BACK ON DUTY 


99 


stroll with a young chap that was 
looking her way. 

Scot had his regular hour for his 
daily call at the home of “the Friend,” 
and at the usual time, bounded away 
to pay his respects, returning for an¬ 
other romp before going to the beach 
and his post as patrol during the bath¬ 
ing period. 

The twins had discovered where 
their canine friend lived, and had many 
times expressed a wish to go there. 

Being now eight years of age, they 
were able to find their way about the 
familiar streets, and had often gone to 
the stone wall with their nurse, and 
gazed across the tangle of tracks and 
at the rushing trains; they saw the 
shining sands, the rippling water, heard 
the shouts and laughter of the happy 
throng of bathers, and even saw their 
friend Scot ranging back and forth. 





100 


SCOT 


They wanted to go; to their young 
imaginations nothing in the world was 
half so desirable; it looked like a won¬ 
derful adventure, and quite feasible; 
the danger, they, of course, did not see. 

The little minds began to plot and 
plan. 

Their opportunity came one hot, op¬ 
pressive afternoon w r hile in the park, 
in the usual spot under the spreading 
willow. 

They pleaded for refreshments, and 
the nurse, not wishing to take them 
into the hot sun, left them under the 
tree while she repaired to the nearest 
drug store on Cottage Grove Avenue. 

As she disappeared around the cor¬ 
ner, the twins started on their great 
adventure. 

Leaving Woodland Park, they hur¬ 
ried over into Groveland Park, thus 
eluding the nurse. 




r 


BACK ON DUTY 


101 


Straight they went, by the most di¬ 
rect route, to the stone wall. 

They had learned the method of 
descent via the ladder by observation, 
and by a combination of childish magic 
and unbelievable good luck managed 
this part of the journey without serious 
mishap. 

Scot was ranging back and forth on 
his usual beat, the white tip of his tail 
waving like a crossing flagman’s signal. 

The children saw him, and with a 
joyful hail started across the perilous 
tracks, Eleanor in the lead, her brother 
closely following. 

Scot heard the familiar voices, saw 
and recognized his little friends and in 
the same fraction of a second, their 
awful peril in the shape of two rapidly 
approaching trains, coming from oppo¬ 
site directions, and on adjoining tracks. 

Realization and action were practi- 




102 


SCOT 


3 


cally simultaneous. Scot’s splendidly 
muscled body became a living catapult 
which crossed the north-bound track, 
barely clearing the train, striking the 
little girl full in the chest, throwing her 
headlong from between the south¬ 
bound tracks. The train thundered 
over the spot a second later, 

Eleanor, in falling, carried with her 
Elmer who was close behind, and chil¬ 
dren and dog landed in a confused 
heap, unharmed and safe. 

All this transpired in a few tense 
seconds, and was accompanied by the 
roar of the trains, the frantic shrieking 
whistles, shouts of excited men and the 
hysterical screaming of women and 
children. 

Scot now stood guard over the res¬ 
cued twins, licking away the now 
plentiful tears as fast as they fell. 

Above the wall, a helpless witness, 




BACK ON DUTY 


103 


stood the nurse, a pitiful sight. Her 
hat was gone, hair streaming, eyes 
staring, face convulsed and body 
frozen with horror. In her hands were 
tightly clutched two empty glasses 
which had once contained chocolate 
ice cream, most of which was now gen¬ 
erously distributed over her white uni¬ 
form. 

Scot allowed none to approach until 
the arrival of the nurse, who soon hur¬ 
ried her charges away. 

Then Scot was swept off his feet and 
carried bodily by the shouting mob of 
his admirers, back to the shore of the 
lake, where an impromptu reception 
was held, he the central figure. 

While the jollification was at its 
height, Scot’s ever alert eye discerned a 
familiar form swaying back and forth 
at the oars of a rapidly approaching 
boat; then and there, the guest of 




104 


SCOT 


honor deserted his hosts and hurried 
off to give his master a joyous welcome. 

Dan was overwhelmed with con¬ 
gratulations, everybody talking at 
once. 

Dan’s only comment was a laconic 
“That is Scot’s way.” 

That evening, however, he took the 
dog in his arms, and gazing long into 
the wonderful brown eyes that were 
fixed on him, he said: 

“Scot, my training has made you a 
wonderful swimmer and diver, but you 
never needed to be taught to do your 
duty; your own noble nature shows you 
the way, and you follow it like the gal¬ 
lant gentleman that you are. Those 
men were loud in their praise of you, 
but I am just wondering how many of 
them would have risked almost certain 
death to save those little children.” 

At the home of the twins, all was 




BACK ON DUTY 


105 

=3 


excitement; the children were having 
their hurts dressed. These consisted of 
minor contusions and superficial abra¬ 
sions from rolling in the cinders of the 
roadbed. 

The little tongues wagged at a great 
rate, both telling at once the story of 
their rescue by the wonderful black 
collie. 

Their story was interspersed with ex¬ 
planations and apologies from the con- 
science-stricken and humiliated nurse 
and the excited comments and exclama¬ 
tions of parents and grandparents. 

A few mornings later, Dan sat 
mending his nets, Scot lying near. 

He was approached by an elderly 
man of distinguished appearance and 
most deferential manner, who ad¬ 
dressed him thus: 

“Have I the honor of standing be- 




106 


SCOT 


r r - - - - 

fore Mr. Daniel Sapp and his wonder¬ 
ful dog, Scot?” 

Dan’s latent pride was roused; years 
had rolled by since he had been greeted 
in so courtly a fashion; he managed to 
stammer, “Yes, Sir, my name is Sapp.” 

Extending his hand, the visitor con¬ 
tinued, “Feeling that I w T ould only in¬ 
sult you by offering a price for your 
grand animal, or to try to repay him 
for his brave act, I have simply come to 
pay my respects to you both, to ex¬ 
press to you the undying gratitude of 
myself and my family, and to present 
to Scot this collar and purse. May you 
never allow your dog to go hungry, or 
lack any comfort; you may always call 
or send here for any assistance you may 
need.” 

The card he handed Dan bore the 
name and address of a well known 
firm. 




BACK ON DUTY 


107 


Turning to Scot, and shaking the 
uplifted paw which had been extended 
in greeting, he stroked and patted his 
head. “I shall see more of you and 
Scot,” was his parting remark to Dan. 

A short time later Scot was back 
under the willow tree in the park, play¬ 
ing as usual with his little friends, just 
like any ordinary dog, instead of the 
hero he was. 




Chapter XIII 

THE STORM 

T HE morning was bright and 
clear, not a breath of air stir¬ 
ring; the calm surface of the 
lake reflected the slanting rays of the 
sun like a mirror. 

Dan Sapp, “Buck” Buchanan and 
some of their friends had planned a 
sail for that morning, and all were 
assembled at the starting point. 

The absence of wind disarranged 
their plans, and an hour or two passed 
by waiting for a change in the weather. 

Finally the wind arose and a few 
clouds appeared in the sky. 

108 


THE STORM 109 


“Buck” and “Jersey,’’ however, who 
were weather-wise, advised against the 
trip and declined to go. 

The breeze freshened into a spanking 
sailing wind, which proved too great a 
temptation for the others, and they 
started, Dan joining at the last mo¬ 
ment, making a party of ten. 

“Buck” and “Jersey” sat on the pil¬ 
ing as the little craft sped away. Scot 
capered back and forth, barking, until 
the boat was well out, when he went 
back on duty. 

“Buck” and “Jersey” repaired to 
their own shack, a distance of some six 
blocks down the shore, for a quiet game 
of cards. 

All went well with the sailing party 
for a time, but the weather was chang¬ 
ing; black clouds began to pile up, 
pierced by occasional flashes of jagged 
lightning; the mutter of distant thun- 




110 


SCOT 


der was heard; the breeze was followed 
by a dead calm and the sail was useless. 

Fully alive to their danger, the party 
decided to make the run home at once, 
and to that end the little motor was 
uncovered and an attempt made to 
start it. 

As is often the case, the thing was 
having a fit of temperament, and had 
to be coaxed; coaxing takes time, and 
time was precious. 

Meantime, the rushing clouds had 
covered the entire heavens, blinding 
flashes of lightning followed each other 
with increasing frequency, and the air 
was shattered by peal after peal of 
deafening thunder. 

Two desperate men worked franti¬ 
cally at the refractory motor; the others 
could only wait. 

When hope was nearly gone, a most 
cheering sound reached their ears: 




THE STORM 


111 


“Pt-pt, pt-pt.” That coy piece of ma¬ 
chinery was beginning to relent. Oh! 
most joyful sound; hear it, “Pt-pt, 
put-put-put,” “We’re on our way.” 

The little craft answered her helm, 
picking up speed as she executed a 
graceful curve and headed for home 
and safety. 

And then the storm struck. 

The helmsman had seen it coming, 
a line of white foam, rushing over the 
hitherto smooth surface, and headed 
his craft into the wind. 

In a twinkling all was enveloped in 
a smother of wind and water; the boat, 
small, heavily laden and not built for 
heavy weather, was soon in trouble. 

She began to ship water as the waves 
piled up, driven by the fierce wind, 
and soon nine men were bailing while 
one steered. 

Every precaution possible had been 




112 


SCOT 


taken to protect the motor, which was 
now apparently trying to atone for 
previous bad conduct, and was running 
as smoothly as a railroad watch. 

One enormous wave, however, spoiled 
everything; it towered over the little 
shell and its shrinking crew and then 
fell on them, almost filling the boat. 

The little motor coughed, and died. 

Waterlogged and without power 
they were helpless, and started to drift. 

The next high wave capsized the 
boat and the disaster was complete. 

Those who were unable to maintain 
their hold when they were thrown into 
the water were able to win their way 
back to the overturned boat, and, for 
the time being, all ten still had a chance 
for their lives. 

Scot had watched the gathering 
storm with foreboding; he grew more 




THE STORM 


113 


restless and uneasy as the weather be¬ 
came more threatening. 

His beloved master was out there 
in the blackness, and we can only fol¬ 
low his reasoning by observing his 
actions. 

Did some uncanny instinct tell him 
that Dan was in peril? 

He worried up and down the beach, 
and from boathouse to pier with a low 
whine in his throat, finally taking his 
stand on the outermost point. 

Straining his body out over the 
water, and with nose high in the air, he 
emitted a long, dismissal howl. 

With the first mad rush of wind- 
driven rain, Scot was seen to hurry 
back to shore and make his way down 
the tracks at top speed, in and out 
among the numerous moving trains, it 
being the evening rush hour. 




114 


SCOT 


The gathering gloom had halted the 
card game of “Buck” and “Jersey.” 

“Jersey” arose to strike a light and 
went to the window for a look at the 
storm. 

He saw Scot come tearing up the 
path and throwing himself headlong 
against the door in rushed the frantic 
dog. 

“What’s the matter, Scot?” 

The quick-witted “Buck” was the 
first to take in the situation; “Dan and 
his party ain’t come back; come on, 
‘Jersey,’ he shouted, snatching his hat 
and coat as he ran. 

Scot, seeing his mission successful 
thus far, could not wait, but was gone 
like a flash. 

When the breathless men reached 
the boathouse Scot was there to greet 
them. They knew where the keys were 
kept and hastily made ready the lar- 




THE STORM 


115 


gest of the launches, a very seaworthy 
craft with powerful engines and most 
suitable for heavy weather. 

As the swift cruiser swept lakeward, 
Scot, wildly barking, and with tail wav¬ 
ing, stood like a lookout, well up in 
the bow. 

For the first half-hour the rescue 
party were hard-put to preserve their 
own lives, but the excellence of their 
craft and their own good seamanship 
enabled them to carry on until the 
gradual subsiding of the storm made it 
possible to begin the search. 

It seemed almost hopeless; nothing 
was to be seen but an endless proces¬ 
sion of giant waves galloping after one 
another. 

However, the men were hardy, and 
well trained for their work, and stuck 
to it. 

Buck gave his entire attention to the 




SCOT 


116 


motors and steering, while Jersey, 
perched in the extreme bow, standing 
erect, with one arm and one leg wound 
round a stanchion, swept the watery 
waste until his eyes ached from the 
strain. 

The light was beginning to fail, 
and the situation began to look very 
bad, when Jersey thought he saw a 
faint speck on the top of a distant 
wave. 

It disappeared at once; but this en¬ 
couragement, small as it was, and the 
first they had had, was enough to change 
their course, and the now hopeful Buck 
began to crowd on the power until they 
were going at full speed. 

Jersey was soon able to verify his 
suspicion, and he and Scot both began 
barking at once. 

As they swept up to the overturned 
boat with the exhausted men clinging 




THE STORM 


117 


to her sides, Scot, with a flying leap, 
was overboard, going directly to Dan, 
now nearly dead from exertion and ex¬ 
posure. 

Dan, with his right hand clinched in 
the long hair of Scot’s ruff and swim¬ 
ming feebly with his left, won his way 
to the side of the rescue boat, where 
with difficulty he was dragged over the 
side. 

Buck, who was a splendid athlete 
and an adept swimmer, was now di¬ 
vested of most of his clothing and over 
side he went to assist Scot, who was 
very busy. 

The men were too exhausted to 
swim unaided, but with a hand in 
Scot’s mane they were ferried across 
the narrow stretch of water that the 
watchful Jersey maintained between 
the boats. 

Here the powerful Buck heaved and 




118 


SCOT 


Jersey pulled, while Scot went back for 
another. 

It was heavy, heartbreaking, heroic 
work, but heroes had undertaken it, 
and they accomplished it. 

The trip back, with the boat heavily 
overloaded and the sea still high, was 
a ticklish job, but these men knew 
every crook and angle of the game and 
accomplished their task safely. 

On the way in, they met a rescue 
party from the Government Life Sav¬ 
ing Station who had been notified that 
the party was missing. 

A large and excited crowd awaited 
their return and every assistance was 
given the weary men. 

Buck and Jersey disclaimed all 
credit for the rescue, and insisted that 
all the praise was due to the wet, be¬ 
draggled, but happy black collie. 

“For,” said they, “they would have 




THE STORM 


119 


been ten dead men by now, if Scot had 
not given the distress signal.” 

Dan remarked as he always did, 
when his dog had done some wonder¬ 
ful thing, “Well, that is Scot’s way.” 




Chapter XIV 

BUSTER BENDER 

T HE terror of the Lake Front 
was a large white bull terrier, 
“Buster” Bender. 

He had been bred and trained to 
fight, and no small animal was safe 
when he was at liberty; it was his 
method to attack on sight and he left a 
trail of blood, wounds, death and 
grief in his wake. 

He was a “Killer,” and his master 
gloried in the evil reputation which his 
dog had achieved. 

Children were not safe, if accom¬ 
panied by their pets, and as for pets, 
disaster was their portion. 

120 


BUSTER BENDER 


121 


For some unknown reason, probably 
a local influence (Bender was some¬ 
what of a politician), those who from 
time to time suffered from the evil 
deeds of this precious pair found it 
difficult to bring the guilty parties to 
book, and they continued to range and 
destroy, in spite of the rising tide of 
indignation. 

Buster was wholly vicious, and had 
apparently but one redeeming quality: 
his love for his master; but he had been 
known even to attack him. 

Bender boasted that his dog could 
w T hip any other dog on the South Side, 
regardless of size or breed, and was 
always “Looking for trouble.” 

He was especially envious of the 
popularity of the fisherman’s collie and 
he felt the contrast between the great 
love of the neighborhood for Scot and 




122 


SCOT 


the detestation in which his own animal 
was held. 

This filled his heart with hatred, and 
from that hatred grew a plan. 

He failed to keep his plan to him¬ 
self, however, but began to boast of 
what he and his dog Buster were going 
to do to Scot, some day when the op¬ 
portunity offered. 

Warning was not long in reaching 
Dan’s ears, and made him very uneasy; 
he knew Bender’s reputation too well 
to expect fair play, and he feared that 
during his absence some unfair ad¬ 
vantage might be taken of Scot. 

He knew that Scot would never 
pick a quarrel, and he also felt that in 
a fair fight his own dog might give 
even the redoubtable Buster a good 
argument. 

However, he could not let any act 
of his cause the taint of cowardice to 




BUSTER BENDER 


123 


rest on Scot, so he could only bide his 
time. 

He had not long to wait; Bender 
chose for his visit an afternoon when 
Dan was away on the lake. 

The day was too cool for any but 
the hardiest bathers, and only a few 
fishermen were lounging about. 

Patsy, the kitten, was taking a siesta 
on a mat near the shack. 

A short distance away lay Scot. 

Jack Bender, taking a survey of the 
field, felt that the time was well chosen 
for the carrying out of his cherished 
plan. 

As he quietly approached, he spoke 
in an undertone to his dog, who walked 
ahead on leash. 

“Well, Buster, here’s where we trim 
tEe dearly beloved Scot; the wonderful 
Scot, he’s such a pippin in every other 
way, let’s see if he can fight; eat him 





124 


SCOT 


up, boy, I’ll even forgive you if you 
only leave a little bunch of hair for 
Dan’l to tuck away for a keepsake.” 

Bender kept his dog on leash until 
the last minute, as he wished to save 
all the dog’s strength for Scot. 

He, however, overlooked the sleep¬ 
ing Patsy, and now slipped the leash. 

Buster bounded forward and almost 
instantly spied the sleeping kitten. 

Buster attempted to follow his usual 
method of attack on sight, but Patsy 
was never in real danger, because Scot 
was there, and he was not asleep, 
either. 

Patsy was Scot’s playmate and bed¬ 
fellow, the apple of his eye. That this 
presumptuous invader should seek his 
harm filled him with fury. 

The diversion of the kitten upset 
Bender’s plan to surprise Scot, and in¬ 
stead of being taken unawares and at 




BUSTER BENDER 


125 


a disadvantage, he became the attack¬ 
ing party himself, and with a roar 
launched himself on the foe. 

Buster met him half way, but the 
collie was swift as lightning and got 
first hold in the folds of the neck; the 
best Buster could do was to help him¬ 
self to a mouthful of hair, burying his 
teeth in the thick mat of Scot’s ruff. 

Buster’s superior weight told in the 
first rush and bowled Scot over, but the 
cunning collie brain was working, and 
to good purpose. 

He realized almost at once that his 
lack of weight was a severe handicap, 
but he at once began to turn the cir¬ 
cumstances to his own advantage. 

He knew that he had near by a 
friendly element to which his adver¬ 
sary was to some extent a stranger. 

He kept up a great show of resist- 




126 


SCOT 


l 


ance, but yielded much ground to each 
of Buster’s furious rushes. 

His superior speed and quickness en¬ 
abled him to choose his ground and he 
chose to fight with his back to the lake. 

The ease with which he was driving 
Scot off his feet gave Buster a false 
sense of a battle all but won, and he 
lost all caution and continued his 
furious rushing attack. 

The collie fights as does the wolf: 
with a lightning quick snap, and away, 
and Scot dealt with the situation in 
true wolf fashion. 

He met every rush with the vicious 
wolf snap, always getting home, and 
leaving his mark, then rolling over 
backwards several feet toward the 
water, then up to meet the next on¬ 
slaught. 

Had Scot been as slow as his adver¬ 
sary, these tactics would have been 




BUSTER BENDER 


127 


fatal, but the collie’s quickness and 
agility were marvellous and while Bus¬ 
ter’s head, neck, and shoulders were 
slashed and bleeding freely, he, him¬ 
self, had no mark on him. 

Scot cleverly evaded Buster’s last 
rush. His great momentum carried 
him headlong into the water where he 
was immediately attacked from behind 
and almost at once crowded and 
pushed beyond his depth. 

This was the turning point in the 
battle for which Scot had maneuvered 
since the beginning, and he proceeded 
to administer a much deserved and 
long deferred punishment, doing the 
job in a most workmanlike manner. 

Buster was slower in the water than 
on land and Scot’s furious onslaught 
left him almost defenseless. 

The collie now developed a new plan 
of attack, driving in fearlessly, but 




128 


SCOT 


instead of slashing, as he did on land, 
he now set his teeth in, and dragged 
the other dog under. 

All Buster could do was to take 
second choice of holds, and Scot saw to 
it that all he got was a mouthful of 
his splendid ruff which covered his neck 
and shoulders; it was like biting into 
a mattress. 

Scot could stay under longer than 
Buster, and as soon as he felt himself 
released, he thrashed and trod the 
other, keeping him under as long as 
possible. 

The yellow streak that is inherent 
in every bully manifested itself and the 
now exhausted Buster began to yell 
for mercy. 

Bender had provided himself with a 
heavy club, and was only waiting an 
opportunity for foul play. 

With a furious oath he shouted, “I’ll 




BUSTER BENDER 


129 


brain that collie,” and with uplifted 
club rushed into the water. 

But it was not the Bender family’s 
day. The club was torn from his hand 
and sent sailing over the water, landing 
twenty feet away; when he rose to a 
sitting posture from the sand, where 
he had been rudely thrown, he saw 
towering over him the athletic form of 
Buck Buchanan. 

“Look here, Bender, that collie dog 
is a particular friend of mine, and any¬ 
body that tries to harm him is going to 
have me to deal with; if you do any¬ 
thing to him you might just as well 
say your prayers. You and your mur¬ 
dering cur came over here looking for 
trouble, and you are getting it, and 
if it isn’t enough, I have a fresh job 
lot that I’m just aching to hand you 
myself. Now you are going to stay 




130 


SCOT 


out of this scrap if I have to sit on 
you.” 

Buster was now incapable of further 
resistance, and Scot proceeded to tow 
him ashore just as Dan Sapp came 
rowing in. 

His face was troubled; he had seen 
the excited crowd and the disturbance 
in the water; the presence of Bender 
spelt mischief, and he feared the worst. 

“Buck” was still standing guard over 
the raging Bender, and a wave of the 
hand and a reassuring grin set Dan’s 
fears at rest. 

Bender, his voice breaking with 
wrath, shouted at Dan, “I’ll have you 
arrested for keeping a dangerous dog.” 

Any further remarks from this 
source were drowned in a chorus of 
jeers from the loyal friends of Dan 
and Scot. 

Buster, not dead, but sadly in need 




BUSTER BENDER 


131 


of repairs, was bundled off to a dog 
hospital where he tarried for many 
weeks before he was again seen in his 
usual haunts. He was never known 
to pay another visit to Scot Sapp. 

At the first shock of the fight, Patsy 
fled to the roof of the boathouse, 
where, with swollen tail and arched 
back, he yowled and spat as long as 
the affray lasted. 

“I never knew Scot to start any¬ 
thing he didn’t finish,” exclaimed the 
jubilant Buck; “and everything he 
does is well done.” 

Buck was never sure of the slight 
twinkle that he thought he saw in 
Dan’s eye, or the dim ghost of a smile 
that seemed to flit over his sad face as 
he made his characteristic reply: 

“That is Scot’s way.” 

Shortly afterward, Scot came trot- 




132 


SCOT 


i-- 

ting home with a wonderful prize he 
had found. 

He proudly laid it at Dan’s feet, 
as he had been taught always to bring 
his findings home for inspection; a 
farsighted rule that, without a doubt, 
saved Scot’s life. 

The “prize” was a package wrapped 
in brown paper and contained two 
tempting looking lamb chops, which, 
on close inspection, were found to be 
heavily impregnated with paris green. 

“Lamb is not on our bill of fare to¬ 
night, Scot; we’ll just bury this, or 
still better, burn it. 

“So, Bender is not only a coward, 
and a poor loser, but it seems that he 
is also that lowest and most detestable 
of created beings, a dog poisoner; if 
there is anything meaner or more con¬ 
temptible, I don’t know what it is.” 




Chapter XV 

BENCH SHOW 

T HE Annual Bench Show was 
on; the great armory was ablaze 
with lights and long lines of 
people were filing in. 

Inside was a pandemonium of canine 
voices raised in protest against three 
days of confinement and boredom; the 
dogs were restless and unhappy. 

The place was warm, close, and the 
crowd so great that one moved only 
when those in front did likewise. 

In the first booth, was the Ten 
Thousand Dollar prize bull dog, 
“Chin-Chin”; surely he was most ap- 

133 


134 SCOT 

■ .. —i 

propriately named, his predominating 
feature being his massive protruding 
lower jaw whose gleaming front teeth 
projected far beyond those of the 
upper. 

There he sat, directly under a drop 
light, short, square and fat; sound 
asleep and snoring loudly, a perfect 
picture of gross comfort and indiffer¬ 
ence, an exaggerated caricature of all 
dogdom. 

Next to Chin-Chin was a beautiful 
coach dog, the beloved possession of a 
young fireman, who appeared just in 
time to save a young woman from 
being bitten; she had attempted to 
make friends but the animal was tired, 
restless and irritable, and resented the 
attention. 

It was refreshing to see how the 
whole world brightened for this crea¬ 
ture when his master appeared. 




BENCH SHOW 


135 


The next bench was much elevated, 
and had for its occupant a noted white 
bull terrier, known far and wide for his 
wonderful display of dentistry, wear¬ 
ing a gold bridge extending on one 
side from tusk to molar. 

He was gentle and kind, and seemed 
to enjoy the attention which his rather 
unique masticatory equipment at¬ 
tracted. 

This fortunate dog was the property 
of a prominent dentist and had lost 
the missing teeth in a fight. 

Then came more bull dogs and then 
collies. 

After passing the larger dogs, we 
come to the smaller varieties. 

First of all, was “Champion,” known 
and acknowledged as the finest pug in 
the United States at that time; in fact 
he was bred so fine there was little left 
to exhibit. 




136 


SCOT 


Champion was a cute little fellow, 
composed mostly of a black face, 
round, black pop eyes and tail tightly 
curled over his back. 

What he lacked in size he made up in 
carriage; his funny little strut and gen¬ 
eral air of self-importance proclaimed 
the high esteem in which he held him¬ 
self. 

Then came the “Black and tans” 
with their bright little faces, pink 
tongues lolling (they were very warm), 
in their glass cases with fancy trim¬ 
mings. 

The dachshunds were sprawled out, 
yawning, a picture of weariness and 
boredom. 

Then more small dogs of varying 
breeds. 

Standing apart, under its canopy, 
was a basket lined with rich red satin. 
Inside was Zara, a French bull dog, a 




BENCH SHOW 


137 


strain that was rapidly replacing the 
hitherto popular pug. 

Zara’s naturally good disposition 
was badly ruffled by the crowds, noise 
and general atmosphere of excitement. 

Her tense attitude, wrinkled nose 
and generally forbidding appearance 
proclaimed to the world that on this 
particular evening the Princess Zara 
was “Not in” to callers and constituted 
a warning to all such to pass on, and 
step lively. 

Next was a group of large stalls, 
one showing a great St. Bernard, 
measuring eight feet from tip to tip; 
second was a Great Dane and in the 
other a mastiff. 

These three were quiet save an oc¬ 
casional roar from the Dane. 

The time had come for the dogs, all 
sizes and breeds, to be turned loose into 
the exercising pen, an unusual pro- 




138 


SCOT 


ceeding and unwise as well, as suc¬ 
ceeding events proved. 

A few bull-dog owners were fore- 
sighted enough to bring their entries 
on leash. 

The Dane and the St. Bernard were 
so unusual in size that each was a sort 
of involuntary challenge to the other. 

A few warning signs of the rising 
feeling of jealousy, and then they were 
at it. 

As the dogs came together they 
reared to their full height, higher than 
the tallest man, as each sought for the 
throat hold, and filled the great room 
with their lion-like roars. 

Every dog in the place was now 
doing his vocal best, and the resultant 
uproar was audible for blocks. 

There was a general rush of at¬ 
tendants, armed with broom handles, 
and the combatants were separated be- 





BENCH SHOW 


139 


fore any serious damage was done, 
and led raging back to their stalls. 

Little Champion, the pug, almost 
as big as two fists, with a great show 
of ferocity, ran alongside the Dane 
as he was being led away, and snapped 
at his heels, barking as fiercely as his 
little voice would permit; the Dane 
took no notice, and the crowd laughed. 

With the dogs back in their places, 
and with food to take their minds off 
their excitement, a semblance of quiet 
and order was restored. 

Over in a corner and somewhat 
apart from the rest, was a booth 
slightly higher than the others. 

Here was shown a beautiful collie, 
colors black and white, his magnificent 
ruff showing a band of golden ringlets. 

He was in the full glory of his win¬ 
ter coat and had been combed and 
brushed until each individual hair 




140 


SCOT 


glistened and seemed to fairly bristle 
with health and vitality. 

He was not here because of a long 
pedigree, although his lineage was 
equal to the best. 

His claim for notice was a far higher 
one than mere pride of family: he was 
a doer of great deeds in the service 
of humanity. 

This was the great life-saving dog 
of the Lake Front; our friend Scot. 

His friendly face, that fairly seemed 
to smile, set everybody’s fears at rest 
and when a courteous paw was ex¬ 
tended in greeting, social relations 
were immediately established; Scot 
was a good “Mixer.” 

All of his Lake Front friends knew 
that he was to appear at the great 
show, and they were there in force, 
big and little, old and young, rich and 
poor, and the receiving line that filed 




BENCH SHOW 


141 


past to “shake hands” with this four- 
footed celebrity was an imposing one. 

The “Friend” was there, also Dan 
and Jim, who stood by and observed 
with pride the well deserved honors 
that were heaped upon this dog hero. 

On Scot’s booth was tacked a card 
giving in detail the number of lives 
he had saved and the attending cir¬ 
cumstances. Accompanying the card 
was a display of ribbons and banners. 

The crowd began to thin out, and 
soon the dogs were alone with owners 
and attendants, to be taken home to 
familiar quarters. 

Could a canine vote have been taken 
at this time it is a certainty that it 
would have shown an overwhelming 
majority in favor of the permanent 
abolition of all dog shows. 




Chapter XVI 
maturity 

S COT was now six years old, 
greatly beloved by a host of loyal 
and enthusiastic friends, not only 
for his kindly disposition but also for 
a long list of notable deeds. 

He was now known as Scot, the 
Hero,” and “The Life-saving Dog of 
the Lake Front.” 

He was no longer a mere dog, he 
was now an institution. 

Among his friends was a young po¬ 
lice officer, working out of the Stanton 
Avenue Station, who was ambitious to 
make a good record with his superiors. 

142 


MATURITY 


143 


His post lay in the district which in¬ 
cluded that part of the Lake Front 
that had become Scot’s particular do¬ 
main, and these two public guardians 
soon became great comrades and co¬ 
workers. 

Officer “Blank,” as he shall here¬ 
after be designated in this narrative, 
was wont to observe that when Scot 
was on duty no other officer was 
necessary. 

Scot’s habitual greeting to his fel¬ 
low officer was a hand-shake. 

Many times Officer Blank had tried 
to open up negotiations leading to the 
purchase of Scot, but with such poor 
success that he finally gave up the idea. 

Spring had come again, and Scot 
was busy and happy; Patsy was be¬ 
coming a big cat and a lazy one, not 
caring much for play, but loving to 
curl up against the dog’s heavy coat. 




SCOT 


144 * 


Dan was busy planning an Easter 
visit to his old friend Jim MacCowan. 

The “Friend” had been ill and had 
found much pleasure in Scot’s daily 
calls. 

Easter found them enjoying sylvan 
delights at the hospitable MacCowan 
home. 

Dan had been fortunate in his fish¬ 
ing, having made a heavy catch just 
before leaving for his visit, and he 
brought along enough choice fish to 
supply Jim’s augmented family and 
several of his neighbors as well. 

Dan’s and Jim’s mutual love of 
Scot gave rise to many long discus¬ 
sions of his qualities, traits, etc. 

During one of these, Jim said, 
“Why not leave him “(Scot)” in the 
country with me this summer?” 

The proposition met with Dan’s 
disfavor. 




MATURITY 


145 


“He’d never be happy away from 
the Lake Front”—(and me), was the 
unspoken part of his thought. 

“Try him, and see; no place in the 
world for a dog like the country,” said 
Jim. 

“Well, if you think that the dog 
will be happy here, and that it is best 
for him, I’ll try to stand it a while, 
for his sake, but I’m sure to be very 
miserable while the experiment lasts. 

The following Sunday, when Dan 
left, Scot remained with Jim, who had 
taken him out for a stroll. 

When they returned from their 
ramble Scot made a thorough search 
of the premises and immediate neigh¬ 
borhood for his real master, not for¬ 
getting to be polite to his temporary 
one. 

Supper time came, but Scot’s usu¬ 
ally healthy appetite had vanished. 





146 


SCOT 


Jim felt guilty, and petted the rest¬ 
less dog, taxing his ingenuity in think¬ 
ing up things to excite his interest, 
and finally making him extra com¬ 
fortable for the night. 

Morning came, and Scot refused 
his breakfast, lying all day as with a 
broken heart. 

Had his master at last deserted 
him? 

All day he refused food and was so 
utterly wretched that the sympathetic 
Jim and his wife were completely up¬ 
set. 

About sunset, as Jim was busy with 
his evening chores, Scot left the place 
where he had lain all day and coming 
up to Jim licked his hand and returned 
to the house. 

“Getting over his fret,” was Jim’s 
thought as he hurried through his re¬ 
maining tasks. 




MATURITY 


147 


When the evening meal was ready, 
Jim’s wife called him and he repaired 
to the house. 

Noting that the dog’s bed was va¬ 
cant, and not seeing him, he asked of 
his wife, “Where’s Scot?” 

“Why, I thought he was with you.” 

Scot had vanished and was well on 
his way back to the Lake Front and 
the beloved master from whom he 
could no longer bear to be separated. 

Before leaving, however, he had not 
forgotten to bid his host an affection¬ 
ate farewell. 

Back in the little shack, a very un¬ 
happy Dan Sapp was trying to carry 
on as usual. 

Scot, he realized now, more than 
ever before, was a necessary ingredi¬ 
ent in his formula of life, and nothing 
was right without him. 

All his friends told him, some of 




148 


SCOT 


them with considerable heat, and all 
of them with an uncomfortable frank¬ 
ness, what they thought of the leav¬ 
ing of their friend Scot in the country. 

“Well,” said Dan in defense, “how 
could I refuse Jim, who has been so 
kind to us both. Perhaps Scot will 
get his visit out soon.” 

The morning following his return 
from Jim’s house, Dan overslept; there 
was no soft touch of a furry foot on 
his face (Scot’s usual morning greet- 
ing). 

The day dragged, followed by an¬ 
other lonely evening, and another late 
arising. 

About noon of the second day, a 
shout went up from the boys on the 
pier; Scot, dusty, tired and weak, was 
seen trotting up the tracks. 

At the shout of his friends he broke 




MATURITY 


149 


into a lope and disappeared into the 
shack. 

Dan had just sat down to his simple 
meal. 

His quick ear noted the disturbance 
outside, then a hurrying rush, and 
Scot was upon him, forelegs grasping 
him round the waist, tail jubilant, a 
glad gurgling whine in his throat. 

In one minute he told Dan, in his 
own expressive way, of all his loneli¬ 
ness and grief, now swallowed up in 
this glad reunion. 

Patsy came in for a joyous rough- 
and tumble greeting and then Scot was 
ready for the good fish dinner that 
Dan hastily prepared. 

Dan, noting the way Scot was eat¬ 
ing, said to himself, “I’ll bet he hasn’t 
eaten a mouthful since I left.” 

That evening, as Dan was seated 
outside smoking, with Scot at his feet, 




150 


SCOT 


Jim appeared, looking worried and 
uncomfortable. 

Scot thought Jim was after him, 
and didn’t give him his usual glad 
greeting, but crept closer to Dan, at 
the same time offering his foot to Jim. 

“I am not after you, old fellow, no 
indeed; I never want to see you so 
unhappy again; but the missus and 
I haven’t slept a wink since you left 
us. 

“Of course I knew where he was 
headed for, but I was fearful of what 
might happen before he could reach 
home.” 

Because of Scot’s brave deeds he 
was by common consent allowed to 
go without a license, and for that rea¬ 
son Jim was afraid the despised dog 
catchers might get him. 

He had a mental picture of the dog 
wagon approaching; Scot pursued by 




MATURITY 


151 


i-- 

several men with wire nooses, las¬ 
soed, dragged and thrown in with 
other unfortunates, taken thence to 
the pound, there to be killed or sold, 
as fate should decide. 

He saw the crowd of angry children 
following and he heard the vocally ex¬ 
pressed indignation of their elders. 

Truly, nothing short of a race riot 
can so quickly upset a neighborhood 
as a visit of the dog catcher. 

Now that he saw Scot safe and 
happy, he lingered for a long, com¬ 
fortable chat. 

“Why do you insist on staying here, 
Dan?” Jim asked. “Why not come 
out and stay with us? You know you 
are welcome.” 

“I may do so, another year; but 
what will the children do without 
Scot? He seems to belong here. I 
get very tired of this hand-to-mouth 




152 


SCOT 


existence; the winters are hard and 
dreary, but in summer I love the lake 
and my simple way of living. I fear 
I should miss it.” 

When Jim returned home there was 
general rejoicing over the fact that 
Scot had arrived home without mishap. 

Several of the neighbors and others 
living along the Chicago road had ob¬ 
served the black collie on his way 
home. 

The warm days had come, and with 
them came the crowds of bathers. 
Scot was welcoming old friends and 
making new ones. 

He was happy with his responsi¬ 
bility, and even the most timid felt a 
sense of security when he was on duty. 

Dan had made up his mind as to 
one thing: that wherever he went Scot 
should follow; that death only should 
part them again. 




Chapter XVII 

HIS LAST DAYS 

J ULY had come, and, with the first 
day, very warm weather, which 
brought larger crowds than usual 
to the beach. 

Crowds of children romped and 
splashed in the shallow water or played 
on the piling and pier. 

Scot was everywhere, in and out 
of the water; as familiar faces ap¬ 
peared, he met and greeted them, 
showing that he was the true host 
of the Lake Front, and these, his 
guests, were accorded this attention 
with a style and dignity of bearing 
that commanded respect. 

153 


154 


SCOT 


Evening came, and Dan came row¬ 
ing in as the crowd was leaving. 

Scot was there with his usual wel¬ 
coming bark, which never failed to 
send a thrill of gladness to the heart 
of the fisherman. 

“What would I do without you, old 
pal? You’re worth a million to this 
lonely old man.” 

Scot replied in true dog fashion, 
with glad barks, caperings, caresses 
and his funny little throaty whine. 

Dan prepared their simple meal, 
and Scot was at his usual place be¬ 
side him at table. 

When he wished to be served, he 
tapped Dan gently on the arm with 
his foot. 

To-night he politely indicated his 
desire for a second helping. 

“You must have worked hard to¬ 
day, old boy, to be so hungry.” 




HIS LAST DAYS 155 


After supper, Dan wandered out 
to a comfortable seat on the pier 
where, with a smooth pile at his back, 
the evening breeze cooling his brow, 
his pipe between his teeth and his 
best friend at his feet, he felt at peace 
with himself and all the world. 

Tommy Peterson, a ten-year-old 
boy, in disobedience of a parental in¬ 
junction, was playing in the shoal 
water; becoming ambitious, he struck 
out boldly to show himself how far he 
could swim without resting. 

Finding himself beyond his depth, 
he became panic-stricken and in spite 
of his ability to swim was in a fair 
way to drown. 

Scot heard his frantic cries and has¬ 
tened to the rescue. 

Owing to the fact that the boy was 
nearly naked, Scot sought in vain for 
a hold in some article of clothing. 




156 


SCOT 


Failing in this, and being an ex¬ 
perienced life-saver, he realized the 
necessity for quick action and seized 
the boy by an ankle, and after a bit¬ 
ter struggle got him safely back to 
the shallows. 

The ankle showed a slight abrasion 
of the skin and was, no doubt, some¬ 
what painful. 

Tommy got into his clothes, and, 
without a word of thanks, started 
limping on his way home. 

Buck Buchanan had arrived in time 
to witness this, the latest of Scot’s res¬ 
cues, and the dog was praised and his 
master congratulated. 

The two friends sat until late dis¬ 
coursing on a subject that, to them, 
never lost its interest, and never grew 
old: Scot, the Wonder Dog, his wis¬ 
dom, his kindly nature, and, greatest 
of all, his service to humanity. 

The next morning, as usual, Dan, 




HIS LAST DAYS 


157 


who was a rather heavy sleeper, was 
awakened by a soft pat on his cheek. 

Both were up bright and early and 
soon had breakfast over and were 
ready for the day. 

Somehow, more than usual, Dan 
wanted to take Scot out on the lake 
with him on this particular day, but 
unselfishly put his own feelings aside. 

He knew that the day would be a 
very hot one, and with the large crowd 
that was sure to come, Scot would be 
needed. 

Dan started out in his boat and 
Scot barked his goodby and watched 
him until far out into the lake. 

Then he trotted down the tracks, 
and crossed over, going into the park 
to play with the children, after which 
he paid his usual daily call at the home 
of “The Friend,” where he received a 




158 


SCOT 


joyous welcome, she having heard of 
his rescue of the night before. 

After a nice long visit, a final pat 
and parting hand-shake he started 
back for the lake, turning twice for a 
backward parting look at his friend 
and benefactor. 

The afternoon found him at his 
post. 

As Tommy Peterson limped home 
the night before, the pain of his 
scratched leg caused him to forget the 
peril he had escaped as well as his ob¬ 
ligation to his brave rescuer. 

Fearing to confess his disobedience 
in going bathing, he told, instead, a 
story of having been bitten by the 
fisherman’s black collie. 

The mother, unaware of the real 
truth, complained to the Stanton Ave¬ 
nue Police Station. 

Sergeant Reynolds detailed an of- 




HIS LAST DAYS 


159 


ficer on the case with orders to “Kill 
the vicious animal.” 

Meanwhile, the true story of the 
dog’s heroism and his peril circulated 
like wildfire throughout the neigh¬ 
borhood, finally reaching the ears of a 
young woman, a representative of the 
Anti-Cruelty Society. 

Meeting Officer Blank who, under 
orders, was searching for poor Scot, 
she pleaded with him to postpone the 
execution until she could see the 
sergeant. 

But with Officer Blank orders were 
orders, and he turned a deaf ear to 
her pleadings and proceeded with his 
search. 

In desperation she hurried to the 
station. 

Officer Blank thought he would find 
Scot in his usual place at the beach, 
the time being mid-afternoon. 




160 


SCOT 


Crossing the tracks, he saw Scot 
with the children, playing, the white 
spot on the end of his tail waving like 
the emblem of peace. 

Scot saw his friend and ran to meet 
him; the officer patted him and took 
in his hand the uplifted paw that was 
extended in greeting. 

“Come with me, Scot.” 

The dog readily obeyed and trotted 
beside the officer until he reached the 
gate at 35th Street, where he hesitated, 
and shrank back. 

He couldn’t understand why he was 
being taken away from the children 
and his post of duty at such an hour. 

Coax and wheedle as he would, Of¬ 
ficer Blank had a most difficult time 
in getting Scot over to Cottage Grove 
Avenue, where he started to turn into 
an alley. 




HIS LAST DAYS 


161 


Here the gentle Scot again rebelled; 
he hated alleys. 

Seizing the now thoroughly bewil¬ 
dered dog by the ruf he dragged him 
into the alley, away from the street. 

Pulling his heavy service revolver, 
the now deeply moved Officer Blank 
took hasty aim, and, with Scot’s beau¬ 
tiful brown eyes looking him straight 
in the face, fired the first shot, the 
bullet striking in the side; another shot 
rang out and then another. 

Still Scot stood, a horrified look on 
his face, but never taking his eyes off 
this trusted friend of his, who was 
punishing him so terribly for some 
fancied offense. 

Surely there must be some mis¬ 
take; and what’s a mistake between 
friends, but a thing to be forgiven and 
then forgotten? 

Struggling a few steps forward, 




162 


SCOT 


and with a look on his face that would 
melt a heart of stone, Scot’s offer of 
forgiveness was made in the form of 
the extended paw, which was imme¬ 
diately shattered by the fourth shot. 

Staggering back, and with a long, 
hopeless look, he braced himself, and, 
hero to the last, calmly awaited his 
fate; a fifth shot, and the noble heart 
was stilled forever. 

Scot’s soul had gone—who shall say 
where ? 

We human beings, in our arrogance 
and a fancied superiority, claim for 
ourselves a future life, and a reward 
for our virtues, whatever they may 
be. 

Why deny the same to one who, 
though of the so-called lower order of 
created beings, nevertheless possessed 
all the nobler attributes which we so 
greatly admire in ourselves, and who 





HIS LAST DAYS 


163 


from birth to death had led a blame¬ 
less life, without spot or blemish? 

How many of us (so-called superior 
beings) can measure ourselves by this 
same standard and not suffer by the 
comparison? 

Over at the Police Station, Sergeant 
Reynolds was hearing the true story 
of how Scot, instead of attacking the 
boy, had in reality saved his life. 

Reynolds was a large man, with a 
kindly face and a big heart. The great 
injustice that threatened Scot moved 
him deeply, and every resource at his 
command was at once put in opera¬ 
tion to locate some officer who could 
get in touch with Officer Blank, and 
countermand the previous order. 

But, try as he would, every effort 
failed. 

The leaden minutes dragged as a 
nervous police officer paced back and 




164 


SCOT 


forth and the tears streamed down 
the face of the young woman from the 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals. 

A jangling bell, and Sergeant Rey¬ 
nolds snatched the receiver from its 
hook. 

“Officer Blank reporting.” 

“Don’t kill that black collie,” roared 
the big voice of Reynolds. 

“It’s too late, sir, I coaxed the little 
fellow over to 34th and Cottage Grove 
Avenue five minutes ago and done it. 

“He seemed to suspect something, 
too, and, honest, I hated to do it, but 
it’s done.” 

Sergeant Reynolds sank back in 
his chair while the young woman 
sobbed aloud. 

An officer was sent for Tommy 
Peterson and his mother. 




HIS LAST DAYS 


165 


Presently, in came Mrs. Peterson, 
leading the freckled-faced Tommy. 

Sergeant Reynolds had a command 
of language together with a gift of 
expression, and he let himself go. 

When Tommy was finally dismissed, 
that precious youth knew more about 
the scriptural injunction against false¬ 
hood, and the punishment prescribed 
for those who cause the innocent to 
suffer for the guilty, than he had ever 
dreamed of in his short life. 

The sergeant felt that there was 
little he could do now, but endeavor to 
inculcate a moral lesson, which he did 
to the best of his ability. 

Let us hope that the effort was not 
wasted. 

All day long, out on the lake, Dan 
had been fighting a growing feeling 
of depression for which he could as¬ 
sign no reason. 




166 


SCOT 


The impression became so strong by 
mid-afternoon that Dan forsook his 
tasks and headed for home earlier than 
usual. 

As the weary miles stretched out 
before him, his heart grew heavier; 
the way had never semed so long. 

As he neared the landing, he failed 
to see Scot in his usual place to wel¬ 
come him, but, instead, a group of 
sober-faced men and boys talking in 
low tones. 

The strength ebbed from his arms 
and he was hardly able to make the 
landing, where he was met by his good 
friends, “Buck” and “Jersey,” not, 
however, in their usual hearty manner; 
their faces were sad and their voices 
silent. 

“Where’s Scot, boys? Don’t tell me 
something’s happened to him.” 

“Come with us, Dan.” 




HIS LAST DAYS 


167 


They led him down the tracks, and 
along the fatal route that poor Scot 
had so recently passed, telling him as 
gently as possible of the tragedy that 
had been enacted. 

Arriving at the alley, Dan, now 
hardly able to walk, and supported be¬ 
tween his two faithful friends, saw be¬ 
fore him the mute evidence. 

There lay his pet, his little friend, 
cold in death; matted and damp with 
his life-blood were the curls of gold. 

That which a few hours before had 
held a heart true as steel, that over¬ 
flowed with love and devotion, now 
lay between a heap of trash and a 
pile of tin cans. 

“Poor Scot,” mourned Dan. “Why, 
he had more courage, more sense, more 
feeling, and more style about him than 
half the animals that can talk.” 

Stooping over the silent form, and 




168 


SCOT 


with streaming eyes, Dan took the dog 
in his arms, and, supported by his two 
friends, bore him to the home of the 
“Friend,” where more tears and sad 
hearts awaited them. 

There they laid him on the cool, 
green grass; there, by tender and lov¬ 
ing hands, he was prepared for his 
last journey. 

Late that night Dan returned to 
the now lonely shack, and there sat at 
his rude table, his head in his hands, 
heartbroken. 

“How could the World be so cruel? 
Hadn’t Scot given his all to it, and 
how many times had he deprived him¬ 
self of the fellowship and comfort of 
Scot’s company that he might do his 
duty by the same creatures that had 
now done him to death?” 

Dan Sapp was proud of the won¬ 
derful ability of Scot, and the very 




HIS LAST DAYS 


169 


fact that the coming of the dog into 
his life made that life worth while, and 
his early losses and griefs bearable. 

Six years ago, almost to the day, 
Scot had come into his possession, and 
his coming had been a ray of sun¬ 
shine, bringing contentment and a 
measure of happiness out of the dark¬ 
ened past. 

And now this one bright spot in 
his life had been snuffed out, like a 
candle in the wind. 

Thus, with bowed head and aching 
heart, sat Dan, the long night through. 

As dawn began to light the east, 
Dan raised his weary head and gazed 
lakeward. 

This was the time when Scot was 
wont to wake his master with the little 
pat on the cheek. 

At the recollection, Dan’s heart 
overflowed with utter desolation, and 




170 


SCOT 


lie broke into a violent fit of weeping. 

He was still in this position when 
later in the morning he heard the foot¬ 
steps and voices of children, the little 
friends of Scot, with their arms laden 
with flowers. 

Arising, he conducted them to the 
home of the “Friend,” that they might 
again see their little playmate. 

Then came sad-eved Jim Mac- 

* 

Cowan, and arrangements were made 
that Scot should be laid in a beauti¬ 
ful spot on his place in the country. 

Jim had received his first informa¬ 
tion, as indeed had all Chicago, from 
the morning paper which read as 
follows: 




HIS LAST DAYS 


171 


DOG SUFFERS FOR A LIFE 

HEROIC LIFE-SAVER SHOT 
DOWN 

Hurts a Boy in Rescuing Him, and 

the Lad Saying He Had Been 
Bitten Purposely, Brave 
Animal Is Killed 

Scot, the hero; Scot, the life-saver; 
Scot, the collie dog is dead. 

Policeman -, acting under 

orders, pumped five bullets into the 
poor brute which has figured so often 
in tales of heroic sacrifice along the 
lake shore. 

Scot had saved at least a dozen lives 
with his daring dives and splendid 
swimming. 

He suffered the death penalty even 
for rescuing Tommy Peterson, a ten- 
year-old boy who got beyond his depth 
in the lake at the foot of Thirty-third 
Street Monday night. 





172 


SCOT 


Through the stupid blundering of 
the human family, which Scot had so 
often befriended, he was punished for 
a deed which should have earned a 
gold medal for a man with equal cour¬ 
age and unselfishness. 


Hurts Boy in Saving Him 

Monday evening, Tommy Peterson 
went bathing in the shoal water at 
Thirty-third Street. 

He got beyond his depth, floundered 
to the surface a few times and began 
to yell. 

Dan Sapp, the fisherman, was sit¬ 
ting on the pier, with his dog Scot be¬ 
side him. 

The dog saw and heard the child’s 
distress, and, diving from the pier, 
went to the aid of the boy. 

Scot grabbed the struggling Tommy 
by the leg, and, by dint of mighty tug- 




HIS LAST DAYS 


173 


ging and swimming, dragged him into 
shallow water. 

The boy, but ten years old, forgot 
the danger he had escaped in the pain 
of the slight wound which Scot’s teeth 
had made in his ankle. 

He limped to his home at Thirty- 
fifth Street and Wentworth Avenue, 
and, afraid to admit that he had been 
bathing in Lake Michigan, told his 
mother only the story of having been 
bitten by a dog. 

The mother, ignorant of the part the 
dog had played in saving Tommy’s 
life, complained to the Stanton Avenue 
police. 

Sergeant Reynolds then sent Police¬ 
man - out to kill “the vicious 

dog.” 

Meanwhile, the true story of the 
dog’s heroism circulating, Miss E. 
Valentine Smith, of the Anti-Cruelty 
Society, working in the neighborhood, 
heard the story, and found the police¬ 
man looking for poor Scot. 





174 


SCOT 


Reprieve Comes Too Late 

She went to the station and suc¬ 
ceeded in having the order rescinded, 
but, try as he might, Sergeant Rey¬ 
nolds could not locate Policeman 


At last the telephone rang and 
- announced himself. 

“-, don’t kill that black 

collie dog,” yelled Sergeant Reynolds. 

“It’s too late, sir,” answered-, 

“I coaxed the little fellow over to 
Thirty-fourth Street and Cottage 
Grove Avenue five minutes ago and 
done it. He seemed to suspect some¬ 
thing, too, and, honest, I hated to do 
it, but it’s done.” 

Dan Sapp, the fisherman, who was 
proud of the achievements, and fond 
as man could be of his dog, refused to 
be comforted. 

“Talk about gratitude,” mourned 
Sapp, last night, “Poor Scot had more 








HIS LAST DAYS 


175 


courage, more sense, more feeling and 
more style about him than half the 
animals that can talk.” 


Indignation spread over the city, 
and people from all walks of life came 
to mingle their tears with those of the 
sad-faced fisherman. 

It was a sad, silent crowd that gath¬ 
ered on the Lake Front July 3rd, 
1900. 

Late in the afternoon of that day, 
Scot was borne by loving hands, with 
many carriages following, to his last 
resting place beneath the willow. 

In the center of the mass of flowers 
that covered the box containing Scot’s 
body, was the beautiful collar pre¬ 
sented to him for saving the lives of 
the twins at the crossing. 

Late that night, when all was still, 
Jim MacCowan crept silently to the 




176 


SCOT 


newly made mound, covered with the 
now fast withering tributes of loving 
friends. 

Jim sat gazing with swimming eyes. 
“O Scot, you have returned to me,” 
he sobbed. 

The first faint rays of approaching 
dawn were lighting the eastern sky 
when Jim stole silently back to the 
house. 

A small white marker stands at the 
head of Scot’s grave. 


SCOT, THE HERO. 

Feb. 10th, 1894, 

July 2nd, 1900. 

Disturb not his slumbers; 

In peace let him sleep 
’Neath the boughs of the willow 
That over him weep. 





HIS LAST DAYS 


177 


HUMANE GROWTH 

There is keen satisfaction in find¬ 
ing that in 1641 the Massachusetts 
Colony enacted ‘‘That no man shall 
exercise any tyranny or cruelty toward 
any brute creatures which are usually 
kept for the use of man.” This awak¬ 
ened interest in animal protection ap¬ 
pears to be among the first if not the 
only statutory reference to the rights 
of animals until legislation was finally 
secured from the English Parliament 
in 1822. New York in 1829, Massa¬ 
chusetts in 1834 and Pennsylvania in 
1855 passed laws to prevent cruelty 
to animals, but until the organized 
movement came in 1866, they were of 
little practical value and seldom in¬ 
voked. 

In 1809, Lord Thomas Erskine de- 





178 


SCOT 


livered a series of remarkable ad¬ 
dresses in Parliament in behalf of ani¬ 
mal protection. His efforts, though 
wonderful examples of humanitarian 
exposition, did not bear immediate 
fruit. It took courage in the days 
when men regarded animals merely as 
chattels to declare as he did: 

“I am to ask your lordship, in the 
name of that God who gave to man 
the dominion over the lower world, to 
acknowledge and recognize that do¬ 
minion to be a moral trust.” 

And again: 

“I never knew a man remarkable 
for heroic bravery whose every aspect 
was not lighted up by gentleness and 
humanity, nor a kill-him and eat-him 
countenance that did not cover the 
heart of a bully or poltroon.” 




HIS LAST DAYS 


179 


The seed planted by Erskine had its 
fruition in 1822 when Richard (“Hu¬ 
manity”) Martin again dared bring 
the subject to the attention of Parlia¬ 
ment and by sheer strength of his per¬ 
sonality caused the first law of conse¬ 
quence in behalf of animal protection 
to be placed on the English statute 
books. It was epoch-making legisla¬ 
tion and laid the foundation for all 
subsequent laws on that subject 
throughout the world. 

Two years later, in 1824, the first 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals was founded. In 1840, 
Queen Victoria was so impressed with 
the splendid humanitarian efforts of 
that organization that she caused the 
word Royal to be prefixed to its title, 
similar societies were soon organ¬ 
ized on the continent of Europe which 




180 


SCOT 


met with immediate favor and have 
enjoyed vast expansion. 

America did not awaken to its 
shortcomings in such legislation till 
Henry Bergh brought back the idea 
after a visit to England in 1866 . 
Since that time the growth of the hu¬ 
mane movement has been rapid and 
far-reaching in its effect. There is now 
not a state in the Union but what in 
some way has safeguarded the lives 
of its speechless toilers; more than 
that—for out of Bergh’s work for 
animals there has grown a work for 
child welfare never known before in the 
history of the human race. 

AUTHOR S NOTE 

For many years, the author has been 
conscious of a strong inward urge to 
give to the world the story of Scot. 




HIS LAST DAYS 


181 


The narration of this great dog’s 
heroism, loyalty and fidelity has been 
a labor of love, but the writing of the 
closing chapter was a task from which 
the soul shrank, and only now, twenty 
three years after, has the completion of 
the task been possible. 

The story of Scot is true; he lived the 
life, performed the many heroic acts, 
and suffered the unjust and violent end 
as herein depicted. 

Dan Sapp never recovered from the 
shock and grief caused by the loss of 
Scot. 

In his loneliness and misery he 
turned the humble shack into a refuge 
for stray animals, often depriving him¬ 
self of necessaries, that his charges 
might be fed. 

Thus, he lived for twelve years, and 
finally passed away, alone with the 
dogs which he had befriended, and 




182 


SCOT 


which had to be removed before his 
body could be taken away. 

His faithful friends, Buck and Jer¬ 
sey, have gone to their rest. 

Fishermen no ^longer frequent the 
Lake Front with their nets, as in the 
old days when Scot was proclaimed 
“The Hero.” 

Children play and swim in the shoals 
as of yore, but they are of another race. 

In August, 1922, the author made 
a search for the “Friend.” She no 
longer lives in Groveland Avenue, but 
we found her, one bright, warm after¬ 
noon. 

There she was, sitting in her vine- 
covered veranda, a slight figure, 
dressed in a sweet summer gown of 
lavender, her beautiful white hair piled 
high upon her head. 

She seemed completely absorbed in 
a book which lay in her lap. 





HIS LAST DAYS 


183 


At the sound of footsteps, she arose 
with a word of welcome. 

When advised of the nature of our 
mission, she touched us gently on the 
arm, as much as to say, ‘‘Are you real, 
or a phantom from the past?” 

In a low voice she repeated the 
names of Dan and Scot; then the wells 
of her beautiful brown eyes opened, 
and the large teardrops rolled down 
her cheeks. 

For a time, she wept, and we wept 
with her. 

“So you have come to give to the 
world the story of Scot; how did you 
know?” she asked. 

In her hand was placed the news¬ 
paper account of Scot’s death, as 
clipped from the July 3rd issue, 1900, 
of The Chicago Record Herald . 

She stepped into the house, return- 




SCOT 


184 


ing in a moment with some pictures 
and three diaries yellow with age; the 
record kept by Dan Sapp. 

We seemed to feel the very presence 
of Dan and Scot as we read. 

Tea was served; long we lingered 
and talked over the cups, until the 
shadows of night icame creeping over 
us, then I left her. 

HENRY BERGH, 1823-1888. 

The first and foremost American 
exponent of animal protection was 
Henry Bergh. When he successfully 
induced the New York Legislature in 
1866 to pass legislation which threw 
a legal blanket around the animal 
kingdom, he felt that his work was 
done, but it was quickly brought home 
to him that if the law was to be made 




HIS LAST DAYS 


185 


operative there was needed a society 
to carry out its enforcement. The 
American Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals was accordingly 
founded early in the same year in New 
York City. The plan of organization 
was quickly accepted as a model in 
other states until to-day there are 
nearly 500 societies that have as their 
chief, or one of their chief, functions 
the legal protection of animal life. 
These societies have annual resources 
of nearly $2,000,000 which are uti¬ 
lized to further the principles of mercy 
and kindness. Bergh’s quaint figure 
was well known around New York 
during the seventies and eighties. His 
courage in defending man s friends 
was frequently the subject of news 
story and cartoon. Well did Longfel¬ 
low immortalize him in the lines: 




186 


SCOT 


4 


“Among the noblest of the land. 

Though he may count himself the least, 
That man I honor and revere 
Who without favor, without fear, 

In the great City dares to stand 
The friend of every friendless beast.” 


ELBRIDGE T. GERRY, 1837 

Among Bergh’s co-workers was El- 
bridge T. Gerry, a young attorney of 
remarkable ability and of excellent 
social position. For years he gave his 
services as counsel to the American 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals. At length there was 
brought to the notice of Mr. Bergh the 
outrages that had been committed 
against the person of a New York 
tenement child, later to become famous 
as “Mary Ellen.” No organization 
seemed able to remove the child from 
the beatings and abuse that were daily 




HIS LAST DAYS 187 

- . ■ ...i i I 

meted out to her. He studied the case 
and finally assumed the responsibility 
for her removal. The heartless foster 
mother was brought to justice and the 
child given a chance for normal de¬ 
velopment. She is now a happy wife 
and mother. Bergh then determined 
to found a Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Children. This was in 
1874 and the brilliant young counsel 
for the animal society threw in his 
lot with child protection. So close 
did he follow up the work of child 
protection that ultimately the New 
York Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Children, which was 
founded in 1875 , became popularly 
known as the Gerry Society. The in¬ 
fluence of this new organization was 
far-reaching. Its methods^ of pro¬ 
cedure have been followed in every 
state and in nearly every civilized 





188 


SCOT 


country. Dozens of Societies for the 
Prevention of Cruelty to Children 
were formed, and many kindred lines 
of work developed. Thousands of 
children are each year rescued from 
the hands of exploiters, cruel parents 
and relatives. Legislation to safe¬ 
guard the rights of little children has 
been secured, and the world made a 
much brighter and better place to live 
in because of the pioneer work of 
Bergh and Gerry. The world should 
not be allowed to forget that one of 
the most beneficial movements ever 
started in the world for children had 
its inspiration in animal protection 
work. 

GEORGE T. ANGELL, 1823-1909 

While Henry Bergh was arousing 
interest in animal protection in New 




HIS LAST DAYS 


189 


York City in 1866 , George T. Angell, 
a successful Boston attorney, was in¬ 
dependently advocating a similar 
movement in Massachusetts. His en¬ 
thusiasm was so great in behalf of this 
long-neglected work that he devoted 
the remainder of his life to developing 
the Massachusetts Society for the Pre¬ 
vention of Cruelty to Animals, which 
he founded in 1868 , and serving as a 
humane missionary through addresses 
and forceful articles. He early recog¬ 
nized the need of an agency which 
might publish humane literature for 
general distribution. The American 
Humane Education Society was ac¬ 
cordingly formed and it has produced 
millions of pages of much needed lit¬ 
erature. One of the principal mediums 
for the popularizing of humane work 
was the creation of “Our Dumb Ani¬ 
mals,” an attractive magazine that has 




190 


SCOT 


been continuously published since 
1868 , and was the first of its kind. It 
has had thousands of readers through¬ 
out America and many foreign lands. 
The well known Band of Mercy for 
stimulating the spirit of mercy among 
children was the product of his efforts. 
Mr. Angell will long be remembered 
for the stimulus given to the cause of 
animal protection. The home of the 
societies and magazine which he 
founded is located at 180 Longwood 
Ave., Boston, Mass. Any clergymen 
desiring special literature dealing with 
any phase of humane work may obtain 
it without expense from The Ameri¬ 
can Humane Education Society at 
the above address. 

Dr. Francis H. Bowley succeeded 
Mr. Angell. His work in behalf of 
animal protection is widely known and 
very highly appreciated. He has 




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proved a worthy successor of his able 
chief. 

THE AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION 

The American Humane Associa¬ 
tion was founded in 1877 as a federa¬ 
tion of Societies for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals and Societies 
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil¬ 
dren. For years it has maintained of¬ 
fices at Albany, N. Y., where it has 
grown year by year into a great force 
for the advancement of humanity. Its 
leaflets on all phases of child and ani¬ 
mal protection run into scores. Since 
1913, it has published “The National 
Humane Review,” that has come to be 
recognized as yhe official publication of 
the 500 and more societies in America 
that are fearlessly demanding “a 
square deal” for their helpless clients. 




192 


SCOT 


Large sums of money are being placed 
at its disposal for the furtherance of 
its important task. It will gladly send 
literature without expense to clerg} T - 
men desiring special material in the 
preparation of sermons on humane 
work. 

One of the most important contribu¬ 
tions that the Association has rendered 
the cause of justice and mercy has 
been the furthering of interest in “Hu¬ 
mane Sunday.” Through this medium 
hundreds of clergymen have been in¬ 
duced to acquaint their congregations 
with the country-wide need for the 
“Golden Rule” in daily life. The “Be 
Kind to Animals Week” observance 
has become popular and largely ob¬ 
served. 

Other important achievements are 
its campaigns against child exploita¬ 
tions, trapping, “wild west” round- 




HIS LAST DAYS 


193 


ups, bull-fighting, and live stock star¬ 
vation and transportation evils. 

For more than 16 years Dr. W. O. 
Stillman, as President, has directed 
the work of The American Humane 
Association. His undaunted courage 
and belief in the justice of his work 
has made his name known wherever 
the hand of the cruelist has been 
stayed. His stirring messages set forth 
in addresses and through the columns 
of “The National Humane Reviewf’ 
have spurred on countless workers who 
have been discouraged in the difficult 
work of protecting children and ani¬ 
mals from abuse. (Published by The 
American Humane Association, Al¬ 
bany, N. Y.) 

It is plainly evident that hu¬ 
mane work has a solid foundation and 
is not merely an exhibition of the ec¬ 
centricities of hysterical and unbal- 




194 


SCOT 


anced cranks (a view, by the way, 
still held by a few) whose numbers are 
rapidly diminishing as The Humane 
Education Movement gains strength 
and momentum. 

On the contrary, the founders were 
persons of the highest standing, with 
rare abilities, sober judgment and 
earnest purpose to right a great 
wrong. 

It was the writer’s privilege to at¬ 
tend, in October, 1921, The Ameri¬ 
can Humane Association Convention, 
held in Philadelphia. 

We noted with satisfaction, the very 
evident high culture and social stand¬ 
ing of the various delegates, who were 
successful men and women in both 
business and professional lines. 

That their interest is deep and sin¬ 
cere, is evidenced by the fact that they 
laid aside their everyday affairs and 




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195 


traveled, many of them, thousands of 
miles, from every state in the Union 
and points of Canada to attend this 
meeting. 

The greatest are the kindest. 

John Burroughs, the greatest 
American naturalist, was great, not be¬ 
cause of wealth, but because of his 
simplicity. 

He loved the helpless creatures; the 
birds, flowers and animal life. 

He lived with, wrote of and worked 
for them, and now lies among them, 
his little friends, in the Catskills, his 
tomb a great bowlder, Nature’s monu¬ 
ment. 

Our guardians of the public health, 
the medical fraternity, have declared 
that the greatest hope for the future 
physical welfare of the race lies along 
preventive lines rather than curative. 

Out of this conviction has grown 




196 


SCOT 


the wide-spread campaign of general 
public education in sanitation and hy¬ 
giene, which already has borne such 
abundant fruit, that.the average, edu¬ 
cated layman of to-day knows more 
concerning disease and its prevention 
than the physician of a few genera¬ 
tions ago. 

Societies interested in the suppres¬ 
sion of cruelty and crime have also 
reached the conclusion that the best 
results are to be attained along the line 
of Public Humane Education, and have 
organized their work accordingly. 

The results have been most grati- 
fying. 

To-day, the dog has come into his 
own. 

Much has been written into the 
statutes, clearly defining his legal 
status: as to his rights, ownership and 
protection. 





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197 


Twenty-two years after the death 
of Scot, standing in the very room 
whence was issued the fateful order 
resulting in his execution, the author 
was advised of a city ordinance pro¬ 
tecting dogs from hasty action. 

If a person is bitten by a dog, the 
animal is impounded under observa¬ 
tion for thirty days at city expense. 

If, at the expiration of this period, 
no signs of rabies have developed, the 
animal is returned to his owner. 

Under the present order of things, 
Scot would have had his day in court; 
the facts would have been brought out, 
and his valuable life preserved. 

What a change might have been 
wrought in the character of little ten- 
year-old Tommy Peterson by the 
proper training at home and at school. 

As it was, he felt no sense of obli¬ 
gation toward his gallant rescuer, but 





198 


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2 


allowed him to die, in order to shield 
himself; ingratitude and selfishness. 

To these offenses he added false¬ 
hood and disobedience. 

One of the underlying purposes 
which prompted the writing of the 
story of Scot was a desire to awaken 
in the hearts of those who are indif¬ 
ferent toward animals a greater ap¬ 
preciation and a more sympathetic ' 
attitude. 

If this be accomplished, he did not 
die in vain. 




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